Hungarian presidency puts the agriculture first

The first Agriculture and Fisheries Council under the Hungarian presidency took place this week. It made clear that one of the priority of the Hungarian presidency is a farmer-oriented policy. This goal is closely interlinked to two other presidency cross-cutting priorities, namely competitiveness and addressing demographic challenges.

An EU closer to farmers

Needless to say: the European agriculture is currently facing unprecedented challenges. The extreme weather conditions, the rising input costs and the strict production regulations have significantly reduced the sector’s competitiveness.

“The cumulative effect of these challenges threatens the livelihoods of European farmers” says the programme of the Hungarian presidency. “It is crucial to recognize agriculture not as a contributor to climate change, but as a potential solution by involving farmers in more sustainable production practices. European farmers play a vital role in ensuring food security and providing essential public goods to all EU citizens. Thus, long-term food sovereignty and security should be integral to the EU’s strategic autonomy”.

In the upcoming semester, the Hungarian Presidency will try to leverage the institutional transition period to guide the new Commission in shaping the Union’s post-2027 agricultural policy. “This policy should aim for a competitive, resilient, and farmer-friendly agricultural sector. Promoting sustainable agriculture is a key priority to achieve a balanced approach towards the strategic objectives of the European Green Deal, the stabilization of agricultural markets, and ensuring a decent standard of living for farmers”.

In addition, promoting sustainable agriculture is a key priority of the presidency with the aim being 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.

“Farmer-focused agricultural policy is among the horizontal priorities of the Hungarian presidency. 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”, says István Nagy, Hungarian Minister for Agriculture during the press conference at the end of the first Agrifish Council for the Hungarian presidency.