Ministers discussed the agri-market situation and fishing opportunities for 2024, and exchanged views on various legislative proposals at their meeting in Brussels on 10-12th December.
The European Commission stressed the need to strengthen the Solidarity-lanes, in order to support the Ukrainian economy. However, according to the frontline Member States the situation on agricultural markets is still under heavy pressure due the low purchase prices. For the first time, Member States much further from the Ukrainian border, reported similar negative effects. Minister István Nagy stressed the importance of improving the functioning of the Solidarity Lanes and restoring their original purpose. He added that Ukrainian agricultural products should return to their traditional export markets and reach the third countries in need. The Minister stressed the need for such a solution on Ukrainian grain imports, which takes into consideration the interest of farmers both in frontline Member States and in Ukraine.
As regards the Sustainable use of Pesticides proposal, Minister Nagy emphasized, that such rules can be adopted only, which contribute to environmental protection and climate goals without jeopardizing the agricultural production and the food security. The Minister stressed that the application of the current directive has also led to a significant reduction in pesticide use, which is expected to continue with the implementation of the new CAP.
The ministers generally considered the new genomic techniques (NGT) as a potential opportunity to achieve the goals set out in the European Green Agreement but most of them, like Minister István Nagy, warned to be cautious of their application. Minister Nagy considered the question also as a matter of sovereignty to decide for ourselves which technology we want to use to grow crops on our territory. For this reason, Hungary welcomed the possibility to provide an opt-out for NGT2 crops, but regarding health and the environment protection expressed the need of further negotiations to reach the Council's position.
Minister István Nagy highlighted the importance of the legislative proposals on plant and forest reproductive materials, since seed production, plant propagating material production and breeding have centuries-old traditions in Hungary. The plants used in agriculture are key genetic resources which were the basis of food production. He emphasized, that we needed regulations, which ensure the maintenance of already existing national characteristics and which do not unduly increase the administrative burden of businesses and authorities.
Ministers discussed the proposal for a directive aimed at regulating various breakfast products, in the framework of which they agreed that in the future it will be mandatory to indicate the place of origin and the exact percentage of honey on the packaging of honey blends. This amendment has been advocated by Minister István Nagy several times since 2019.