UN 
Hungarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy said the European Union’s (EU) agricultural policy should primarily benefit farmers.
Nogy was speaking to the press at the end of a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels.
Nogy, who chaired the meeting on behalf of Hungary, which holds the EU presidency for a term, said he had met with representatives of the European agricultural sector before the meeting of agriculture ministers and listened to the demands of agricultural organizations.
Noting that agriculture is one of the issues on which the Hungarian EU presidency will focus, Nagy said: “I believe that agricultural policy should be primarily for the benefit of farmers.
Noting the importance of competitive, crisis-resistant, sustainable, farmer-friendly and knowledge-based agriculture, Nagy said they will keep regulations in these 5 areas high on the agenda. Recalling the importance of agriculture for rural areas, Nagy noted that the agriculture and food chain is facing challenges and innovation is needed in this area.
Noting that agriculture has a complex structure that requires a complex response, Nagy said they discussed the issue of agricultural products in trade negotiations.
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said, “We need to support farmers for food security in Europe.
Wojciechowski stated that the EU budget allocated to agriculture should be increased and said, “Farmers need more financial support.
Stating that farmers should not be forced by strict rules, Wojciechowski added that agriculture can be guided by incentives.
In recent months, farmers in European countries have organized intense protests demanding higher prices for agricultural products in the face of rising production costs. Farmers have also staged violent protests outside EU institutions.
The EU’s agricultural policy, environmental, climate and nature restoration targets, subsidy cuts, high energy, fuel and fertilizer costs, and cheap grain products from countries such as Ukraine and Russia are among the issues that are troubling farmers in Europe. (AA)
