BRATISLAVA, November 9, (WEBNOVINY) — Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union needs a reform, as it is too complicated, full of bureaucracy and it is not fair to all member states,the agriculture ministers of V4 countries, Romania and Bulgaria said in a common declaration they signed at their meeting in Bratislava on Tuesday. The historic criteria for allocation of direct payments to farmers, should, in their opinion, be replaced by objective criteria. The ministers also discussed protection of farmland and they agreed that the land needs to be protected from speculative purchases and maintained for own farmers and citizens. The participants of the meeting supported the efforts of Hungary to prolong the moratorium on farmland sale to foreigners.
Slovakia’s Minister of Agriculture and Regional Development Zsolt Simon informed at a press conference following the ministerial meeting that the countries want the Common Agricultural Policy to be simple, just, market-oriented and sustainable. “It is our fundamental goal that the Common Agricultural Policy is not only common but also exclusive without option of additional payments in the first pillar and other in parts. We want to prolong the option of the system of unified payment for area, simplify cross-checking and also to introduce control of importers from third countries depending on quality and production standards,“ said Simon. Modernization of market management and the rescue net within the EU is necessary as well. In his opinion, the declaration in not only a common wish but also expression of will not to be only participants who react to the European Commission but participants who will raise questions and topics Brussels should deal with.
SITA