Japan is a prominent agricultural partner of our country

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

The current meeting will take place at a special time, because our country will soon take over the EU presidency. István Nagy spoke about the fact that Hungary will perform the duties of the EU presidency in a difficult period, since it will be after the election, and the EU institutional system will not stand up immediately after the vote. In this situation, however, we have the opportunity for the 27 heads of ministries to make proposals to the European Commission. We want to simplify the rules and make the Common Agricultural Policy farmer-oriented. We formulated five main topics for ourselves: competitiveness, crisis resistance, sustainability, farmer-centeredness and the integration of scientific results into agriculture. In addition to all this, our main goal is to reduce food waste. Our goal is to halve the waste accumulated in retail by 2030. We have something to rely on, as it is an important domestic result that household waste has decreased by 27% in six years. Our country is organizing an international conference on this topic in the fall, to which István Nagy invited the Japanese delegation.

According to the head of the ministry, the EU presidency creates an opportunity to promote sustainable fishing and to determine fishing quotas

With reference to scientific results, we would like to set up a model that will be surrounded by a broad consensus among the member states, he emphasized. The minister also touched on the trade relations with Japan, as we can sell premium products to the Far Eastern country. That is why we pay special attention to this market. We can distinguish and protect Hungarian products with geographical indications, which our country considers very important in the future. We are constantly working to have more such products. 87 geographical indications of Hungary enjoy protection in the Union, he added. István Nagy expressed his gratitude to the deputy minister, because our country is the first country in the world affected by African swine fever with which Japan has agreed on the issue of regionalization. Mangalica also finds a home in Japan. We want to establish more and more cooperation that strengthens the exports of both countries. Hungarian food safety and our experts create a suitable basis for strengthening our relations in this area as well – underlined the head of the agricultural ministry.

AM