Minister calls planned EU farm budget cuts ‘unacceptable’

The European Commission’s plans for the 2021-2027 budget, which would cut major funding for agriculture and rural development, are “unacceptable” István Nagy, Hungary’s farm minister, said after a meeting with EU counterparts in Luxembourg late on Monday.

Hungary calls on the commission to submit a budget that maintains the current level of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) spending, he said, adding that reduced resources would hit Hungarian farmers facing extra administrative burdens under new EU rules.

A reduction of production-related subsidies will badly affect Hungary, he said. Maintaining the 13 plus 2 percent support is essential for maintaining competitiveness, Nagy added.

Hungary wants yield growth, sustainable agriculture and the right responses to issues concerning animal and plant health, he said.

The Visegrád Group, the Baltic states, as well as Croatia, Slovenia and Bulgaria, take a common stand in order to respond to market challenges as a competitive region, the minister said.

Source: MTI