István Jakab: V4 agricultural chambers stand in favor of preserving EU agricultural subsidies

(Photo: AI)

The president of the Association of Hungarian Farmers’ Associations and Cooperatives (Magosz) highlighted that in connection with the planned reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Commission wants to force solutions on farmers and European citizens that would cause serious damage to the European agricultural market and are therefore unacceptable. The commission proposed to withdraw almost 30 percent of agricultural resources, which would make it impossible for European producers – he emphasized. István Jakab explained: a key topic at the meeting was, among other things, that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, the impact of the war and the Mercosur agreement (free trade agreement) represent a cumulative burden for European farmers and, through them, for citizens, because food sovereignty and food security are of paramount importance to everyone.

Compensation for compliance with the rules

At the press conference, András Cseh Tibor, Vice President of the National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK), Secretary General of Magosz, said: European farmers comply with the strictest food safety rules in the world, which is why they receive compensation. If these agricultural subsidies are withdrawn by 30 percent or any other amount, it will lead to the bankruptcy of many farmers, which is why the V4 agricultural chambers are “ringing the alarm bell together,” he said. If the process continues like this, healthy European food will increasingly be replaced by Ukrainian poultry, South American sugar, honey or Moroccan and Egyptian vegetables and fruits, which is unacceptable – said the NAK vice-president. András Tibor Cseh said: next week they will negotiate with about 80 European farmer organizations in Brussels and are ready to go to the streets. This process must be stopped, not only for the benefit of farmers, but also for those who want to consume sustainable, healthy food – he stated.

Jan Doležal, president of the Czech Chamber of Agriculture (AKČR), said, among other things: the European Union is preparing to sign an agreement or to admit new members to which the “green deal” does not apply

In these countries, production costs are much lower, and there are enterprises operating in agriculture with which European producers cannot compete – he pointed out. He added that it is not only about the livelihood of farmers, but also about ensuring that European consumers have access to safe, quality and sufficient food. Robert Nowak, Vice President of the National Council of the Polish Chamber of Agriculture (KRIR), explained, among other things, that a common position was developed at the meeting, that the V4 agricultural chambers do not agree to abolish the separate budget of the CAP in the next seven-year EU budget cycle. He recalled that they expected that agricultural resources would increase at least by the rate of inflation, and that the two-pillar CAP structure would remain. This would also be important because agreements could soon come into force that would put European producers at a serious competitive disadvantage, he added. Andrej Gajdoš, President of the Slovak Chamber of Agriculture and Food Industry (SPPK), said that abolishing the second pillar of the CAP would result in a radical reduction in the level of investments and developments in agriculture. He said that on these issues the V4 are “rowing in the same boat”, they are asking to withdraw the European Commission’s proposals regarding the financial framework and the CAP. In addition, they have serious doubts about opening European borders to third countries – he indicated.

MTI