Brussels – On October 2, discussions between Richard Takáč, the Minister of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic, and European Commissioner for Agriculture Christoph Hansen revolved around increasing quotas for Ukrainian agricultural and food products into the EU, alongside the implications of the EU’s trade agreement with Mercosur, according to a report by TASR’s Brussels correspondent.
Richard Takáč emphasized the broader nature of the discussions, which included the budget for agriculture in the upcoming seven-year EU budget after 2027 and the development of a new common agricultural policy. He also addressed unresolved compensations for Slovak farmers impacted by the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic, the influx of Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU, and the apprehensions among European farmers regarding the free trade agreement with Mercosur.
“I primarily raised the issue of Ukraine and the quotas awaiting approval. While pre-war quotas suggested a 25 percent increase, the current situation shows levels of 400 to 500 percent for some products,” he stated. He highlighted that Western EU countries lack an understanding of this predicament as they are distanced from Ukraine’s borders, leaving neighboring countries like Slovakia to grapple with the oversupply of Ukrainian agricultural goods.
“A Ukrainian farmer isn’t going to transport goods to France or Germany due to high transport costs; he will bring them directly across the border. Slovakia is particularly vulnerable and may encounter challenges,” he elaborated.
Takáč noted the absence of visible initiatives from the European Commission (EC) and other member states to amend the proposed quotas, prompting Slovakia to advocate for the establishment of a special fund for countries bordering Ukraine. This fund would provide financial assistance to mitigate losses for farmers and food producers facing the consequences of increased Ukrainian imports. He stressed the need for Slovakia to communicate this to the European Commission and various EU member states.
“I will bring this up in a few weeks at the upcoming joint meeting with the Ukrainian government in Michalovce. I plan to inform the Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture about our situation, seek their support, and ensure they understand the threat we face,” Takáč said.
With regard to the Mercosur agreement, the minister expressed anticipation for the final quota list from the European Commission, while acknowledging concerns within the Slovak agricultural sector about potential risks, particularly related to beef imports from South America. He cautioned that discussions are underway regarding the creation of a fund to compensate farmers affected by the Mercosur agreement, similar to efforts aimed at establishing a fund for countries neighboring Ukraine. (October 3)
“While pre-war quotas suggested a 25 percent increase, the current reality shows levels of 400 to 500 percent for certain agricultural commodities from Ukraine.” Richard Takáč
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