Farmer-focused EU agricultural policy is a priority of the Hungarian presidency, minister says

A farmer-focused EU agricultural policy is one of the seven overarching priorities of the Hungarian presidency. This was stated by the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture István Nagy while presenting the presidency’s work programme for the coming semester, outlining the main priorities in the field of agriculture and fisheries.

“Farmer-focused agriculture policy is among the horizontal priorities of the Hungarian presidenc,” Minister Nagy said. “The interest of farmers should be put back into the centre of EU policy making. We will focus on ensuring that the future of agriculture is competitive, crisis-proof, sustainable, farmer-friendly and knowledge-based.”

This goal is closely interlinked to two other presidency cross-cutting priorities, namely competitiveness and addressing demographic challenges.

In the upcoming semester, the Hungarian presidency aims to encourage the Agriculture and Fisheries Council to give guidance to the new Commission in formulating the rules of the EU’s post-2027 agricultural policy. In addition, the presidency aims to strike a balance between the strategic goals of the European Green Deal, the stabilisation of agricultural markets and a decent standard of living for farmers.

The Council held a targeted discussion on ways to improve the long-term viability of rural areas, with a focus on generational renewal and demographic aspects. The Council also held a political debate on the latest developments in agrifood trade. It was underlined that EU agrifood trade continues on a positive path and the EU remains the largest agrifood trader in the world. Political guidance was provided on how to continue the work on improving the competitiveness of European agriculture and enhancing the EU’s leadership position with regard to agrifood trade.

During the informal lunch discussion ministers agreed that it is important to preserve European food traditions. The need and importance of providing consumers with adequate and non-misleading information was also emphasimed.

The majority of the member states supported the Austrian proposal for the new European Commission to prioritise agriculture and forestry so that these sectors would remain cornerstones of the competitive, sovereign and prosperous European Union.

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