Minister Nagy: Hungary to boost ties with China

Hungary is committed to strengthening its agricultural and trade cooperation with China, the agriculture minister said on Wednesday, adding that one key milestone for this would be if China recognised regionalisation when it comes to bird flu and swine fever.

Hungary has the highest number of food export permits for China among central European countries, the agriculture ministry said in a statement after a meeting between István Nagy and Ma Youxiang, his Chinese counterpart, in Budapest.

At the talks, Nagy noted that Hungary and China are marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, saying this provided an opportunity for them to review and advance their economic and trade relations. They can also further deepen their ties through China’s Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding that China was a key partner for Hungary.

Nagy said was one of the most important players of the global economy, which meant Hungary devoted special attention to their bilateral partnership. He said that though Hungarian farm products could not compete on the Chinese market in terms of quantity, Hungarian premium products like goose liver, Tokaj wine and mangalitsa pork were able to “hold their own”.

Nagy pointed out that Hungary was a leader in seed cultivation and was also prepared to share its experience in fishing and aquaculture technologies and R+D.

The ministers also discussed animal health matters related to avian influenza and swine fever, the ministry said. It added that China’s recognition of regionalisation when it came to these diseases would give a significant boost to Hungary’s foreign trade. To this end, Hungary’s chief veterinary officer will receive a delegation of experts from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs next month, who will be briefed on Hungary’s animal health protocols and the Hungarian authority’s epidemiological measures.

Nagy said Hungary and China could also boost cooperation in science, education and technology.

At the meeting, Ma invited Nagy to attend two international conferences China is to host, the ministry said.

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Agriculture Minister: ‘EU does not want to find solution to Ukrainian grain issue’

Hungary’s agriculture minister said that “since the EU does not want to seek out a solution to the issue of Ukrainian grain “we have no other choice but to consult with the leaders of farmer unions, express our solidarity with the European farmers and stand up together for our interests”.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels, Istvan Nagy said that protests staged by farmers across Europe went to show that “an overpoliticised agrarian sector is untenable”.

“The protests are a warning by European farmers that access for them to EU agriculture subsidies is extremely difficult and giving preference to Ukrainian grain imports hurts their markets and existence,” the minister said, calling it “unacceptable” for Hungary to accept Ukrainian grain.

Nagy said he had held talks with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, and they agreed that Hungary should conclude a bilateral pact with Ukraine, which would mean that Ukraine would not send and Hungary would not receive grain from that neighbouring country.

Hungary will close its borders for Ukrainian grain which may lead to Brussels launching an infringement procedure against the country, said Nagy, adding however that the interests of Hungarian farmers were a priority for the Hungarian government.