The government supports the smallest farmers with a new loan structure

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

István Nagy explained about the microcredit program that it provides medium-term 5-year, freely usable financing, with preferential interest rates and is expected to be launched this year. The loan will be available under the Széchenyi Card Program with simplified evaluation and without self-financing. According to the Minister, the priority is to support farmers, which is provided by both EU and national funds. At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture also places great emphasis on reducing the burden on producers. The government has decided on several tax reduction proposals that are favorable to them. He explained that trailers of agricultural tractors will be exempt from paying taxes, and the law on local taxes will also be supplemented: forest properties will be placed in the same category as properties classified as agricultural land, so settlement tax cannot be imposed on them either. Another simplification is that the exemption available when purchasing land will not be affected if some kind of statutory easement is registered on the purchased property. As a technical correction, beef and offal will also be subject to the 5 percent VAT rate, which strengthens the security of sales and reduces market risks. In addition, farmers affected by frost and drought damage can benefit from a one-year loan repayment moratorium, and a 50 percent excise tax discount will be introduced for small-scale sparkling wines, he listed. He also mentioned that, in terms of agriculture, there is currently a struggle on three fronts: on the one hand, with both feet on the ground at home, with the forces of nature, on the other hand, in Brussels to defend the Common Agricultural Policy, and thirdly, in the virtual space, since farmers have the real knowledge, and this needs to be shared. According to him, the newly formed Digital Civic Circle can provide answers to these challenges.

AM