EU-Agriculture Minister Criticizes Preferential Treatment of Ukrainian Farmers
Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy of Hungary has strongly criticized the European Union's preferential treatment of Ukrainian farmers, citing concerns that it may harm the interests of European farmers. Speaking ahead of a meeting with fellow EU agriculture ministers in Brussels, Nagy expressed his country's opposition to the proposed trade deal between the EU and Ukraine, stating that it would put European farmers in an "extremely disadvantageous position". The Hungarian minister emphasized the need to protect European farmers and called for a separate budget for the farm sector. Nagy also highlighted Hungary's position on the next long-term EU budget, advocating for the maintenance of area-based and investment subsidies to support a resilient and competitive agriculture sector.
Key Takeaways:
- Istvan Nagy, Hungarian Agriculture Minister, has criticized the EU's preferential treatment of Ukrainian farmers, calling it "unacceptable".
- Nagy claims that the proposed EU-Ukraine trade deal would put European farmers in an "extremely disadvantageous position".
- Hungary, along with other EU member states that share a border with Ukraine, has signed a joint declaration calling on Brussels to protect European farmers from a wave of Ukrainian farm products.
- Nagy emphasized the need to maintain area-based and investment subsidies to support a resilient, competitive, and sustainable agriculture sector in the EU.
- Hungary insists on a separate budget for the farm sector, with Nagy stating that support for farmers should not be reduced.
Statistics:
- No specific statistics are mentioned in the article.
- However, the article does mention that the EU is considering a trade deal with Ukraine that would increase imports of Ukrainian farm products.
Sources:
- Reuters, "Hungary criticizes EU's preferential treatment of Ukrainian farmers", no date mentioned
- Other sources not mentioned in the original article