We protect food sovereignty and the interests of Hungarian farmers

(Photo: drnagyistvan.hu)

István Nagy stated that this is of prime importance from a strategic and national security point of view. The government and the farmers’ association are creating a solid and secure foundation that can be confidently built on in 2024 as well – he emphasized, adding that with joint efforts, even in the difficult market and economic situation, it was possible to provide the background for producers’ financing. With the launch of new agricultural tenders, the competitiveness of Hungarian farms can be further strengthened, which is also necessary to strengthen the Hungarian food supply – he stressed. The minister also drew attention to the fact that the agricultural market processes changed due to the Russian-Ukrainian war prompt them to take action in every possible EU forum to protect the interests of Hungarian farmers. He is convinced that this also serves to preserve the food sovereignty of the whole of Europe.

According to István Nagy, the possible admission of Ukraine to the European Union is poorly prepared and could cause a lot of damage to farmers

It would threaten the livelihood of European producers, given that European farmers cannot compete with “Ukrainian farms owned by Western big capital and producing on hundreds of thousands of hectares”, which – according to the minister’s wording – can produce according to much lighter rules. According to the presentation of the head of the ministry, in 2023 Hungarian farmers were granted HUF 1,300 billion in support, which is an “unprecedented amount” and represents enormous help for the Hungarian countryside, and by 2027, another HUF 2,900 billion is available for the Hungarian countryside, agriculture and available for food production, as the government supplements the 600 billion EU rural development subsidy with another 2,300 billion. The minister also spoke about how Hungarian agriculture has always been strong when its actors skillfully adapted to the variability of the environment around them, and this adaptation must be supplemented in 2024 with real, interest-based and lasting cooperation between market actors, since “much larger and the competition must be won against stronger international economic forces”. The government’s policy, the agricultural policy steps and measures of the next period aim to provide encouragement and help to the actors of the sector in this regard, he added. According to István Nagy, they cannot be grateful enough to Hungarian farmers, because thanks to their work, the Hungarian agriculture and food industry is able to supply Hungarian families and the entire country with fresh and safe food.

AM