At the initiative of Hungary, a call is being sent to Brussels: Protect the interests of farmers instead of Ukraine!

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

Brussels is endangering the livelihood of Hungarian farmers, the survival of family farms, the future of rural life and Hungarian food security. Due to Brussels’ pro-Ukrainian policy, agriculture may suffer serious damage, farmers and the end result may be more expensive, less certain quality food and a more vulnerable Hungarian agriculture. The Minister reminded that European farmers have already experienced firsthand the extent of market disruption and livelihood difficulties caused by the quantity and quality of agricultural products flowing unrestrictedly from Ukraine into the EU. These products have accumulated mainly in the so-called frontline countries neighboring Ukraine, undermining the competitiveness of local producers, leading to market distortions and the loss of our traditional export markets. Kiev and Brussels, behind the backs of the countries concerned, have now concluded an agreement that will put the nail in the coffin of farmers by opening the gates even wider for the import of Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU, he added.

István Nagy highlighted that a joint declaration was signed in Budapest at the initiative of Hungary, which currently holds the V4 presidency

In it, they call on the European Commission to take into account the interests of farmers and protect their livelihood. It is not possible to serve the interests of Ukraine over the heads of our producers, to their detriment, and to risk our daily bread. The document therefore calls on Brussels to take immediate action. He explained that, according to the border member states, the trade agreement and quotas from before the Russian-Ukrainian war should be returned to. Drastic increases in import volumes are unacceptable, for example, in the case of sugar, poultry, eggs, wheat and honey. Brussels must introduce automatically applicable regional safeguard measures to protect the markets of border farmers, the most suitable tool for which is the application of individual quotas. A solution must also be found for the issue of corn, because currently the tariff rate for this product is zero, so it can flow into the European Union without restrictions. A minimum threshold must also be set to prevent imported Ukrainian goods from being sold below the cost of agricultural products produced in the Union. On the other hand, we must demand compliance with EU health, plant health, animal welfare, public health and environmental regulations from Ukraine. This is essential for both competitiveness and food safety. In addition, the Commission should establish a special financial fund from which the losses of EU producers can be compensated in the event of excessive imports from Ukraine, the minister said.

István Nagy stated that the interests of farmers will be protected by all means

Our country will continue to maintain the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products, which was imposed under national jurisdiction. The requests formulated in the joint Budapest declaration of the bordering member states will also be discussed on Monday in Brussels, at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting.

AM