Farmers’ interests must be protected by joint efforts

(Photo: AM)

István Nagy indicated during a meeting with Richard Takáč, Slovak Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, that the free trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine is causing serious problems for European agriculture, which is why Hungary continues to keep its borders closed to Ukrainian agricultural products. For us, the competitiveness and livelihood of Hungarian producers remain the first priority, which we will protect by all means. He added that there is an additional danger that the so-called EU-Mercosur agreement between the EU and South American countries would also come into force at the same time. This trade agreement, in its current form, would have a number of negative effects on the agriculture of the European Union, including Hungary. We do not support the conclusion of the agreement in its current form, as it does not provide adequate protection for EU and Hungarian producers, he added. Prior to the bilateral meeting, István Nagy also met with representatives of the ministries of the V4 countries and China. At the event, the Minister of Agriculture visited, among others, the pavilion of the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety Organization, as well as the honey industry and Hungarian exhibitors.

AM