Brussels – The European Commission (EC) faces significant pressure from EU member states, farmers, and their trade unions regarding the financing of the Common Agricultural Policy. This was stated by Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer-SD) on Thursday in Brussels, following the first day of discussions at the EU Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, as reported by TASR.
Richard Takáč highlighted that the primary focus of the agenda was the Common Agricultural Policy and its future post-2027.
“I can affirm that there remains pressure from various nations for modifications,” he noted, addressing the original EC proposals concerning the structure and funding of the Common Agricultural Policy. “Ministers disagree, for instance, on merging all funds into a single super-fund. They desire the Common Agricultural Policy to stay distinct and unified. The agricultural foundations of the EU were established on this principle,” he elaborated.
Without funding for the agricultural sector, we cannot achieve food self-sufficiency and security
Takáč stressed that maintaining the two-pillar structure of agricultural policy is crucial for the EU’s food self-sufficiency and security, which is dependent on adequate financial resources. “If we fail to allocate funds for the agricultural sector, we will not ensure self-sufficiency and food security,” he emphasized.
The minister recalled the recent visit of European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen to Slovakia, where he confirmed that “the reallocation of that 10% from the long-term budget for rural areas has been approved.” However, he mentioned that many uncertainties remain regarding how much of this will actually benefit the agricultural sector.
“Funding in rural areas can be directed towards various projects via local governments that may not relate to agriculture. All member states are advocating for adequate funding for the agricultural sector. With the EU’s budget nearly doubling, it cannot justify providing less funding for agriculture,” he cautioned.
Takáč believes the EC is beginning to recognize this pressure and asserts that all efforts in this direction are important. He advocates for effective communication and illustrative examples from various countries to explain why the proposal submitted by the EC this summer is inadequate.
Also present at the Council of Ministers was the chairman of the European farmers’ confederation COPA – COGECA, who announced plans for a large demonstration in Brussels next week against the EC’s proposed agricultural policy. “I fully support the protests scheduled for next week,” Takáč stated after a bilateral meeting with representatives of COPA – COGECA. (11 December)
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