Agriculture minister: Hungary committed to two-pillar CAP

Hungary is committed to the European Union‘s common agricultural policy (CAP) based on two pillars — direct agricultural and rural development payments — since this is in the interest of Hungarian farmers and consumers, the agriculture minister said in an interview to public television on Wednesday.

Sándor Fazekas said that if there were no financial supports in place for farmers, then the price of quality food products would skyrocket, which would be bad for consumers.

The minister noted the European Commission is in the process of preparing a briefing paper on the thrust of post-2020 CAP policy, adding there is now a flurry of diplomacy around EU agricultural subsidies. It is Hungary’s interest that the current system — or something very similar — should remain during the next EU financial period, he said, adding that CAP, as it currently stands, equally serves the interests of farmers and of consumers.

Several issues remain unresolved, however, he said, raising the example of Brexit and the need to replace funding shortfalls.

“It wouldn’t make sense for farmers to pay the price of Brexit, just as they paid the price of the Russian embargo,” he said.

The minister also raised the issue of migration, saying the question remained as to whether migration policies such as assisting migrant settlements would be financed using CAP funds.

“The Hungarian standpoint is that producers should still have access to EU farm subsidies,” he said.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI