Hungary considers that the proposed level of the 2021-2027 CAP budget is not sufficient. In particular, CAP legislative proposals would increase the administrative burden of farmers and would make the system more demanding than the present one – emphasised Zsolt Feldman, State Secretary of Agriculture after the informal meeting of the EU agricultural ministers in Sofia.
“Farmers should not be expected to comply with a wider scope of requirements for less subsidy with a legislative framework that is far more complicated than the current one” – declared the State Secretary. Hosted by the Bulgarian Presidency, the informal meeting offered the first opportunity for an exchange of views among agricultural ministers on the legislative proposals of the future CAP which were presented on the 1st of June by the European Commission.
Compared to the current programming period the introduction of the CAP Strategic Plans constitutes a substantial change. The new regulation would cover both direct payments and rural development measures. The so called new delivery model and the strategic planning approach is not consistent with the logic of direct payments and could lead to the increase of the administrative burden both for farmers and Member States – stated the State Secretary. “We will oppose any proposal which would lead to a more complex system. Hungary made an enormous effort to create a simplified agricultural legislative environment and farmer friendly support system” – highlighted the State Secretary.
“It already appears a challenging task to maintain the current level of coupled support for certain sectors – in particular dairy sector, beef and veal, sheepmeat, horticulture and protein crops. In close cooperation with other Member States we will do our best to keep the current support levels” – explained Zsolt Feldman.
At the initiative of the Bulgarian Presidency, agricultural ministers also held an exchange of view on generational renewal. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary emphasised that Hungary has already provided special tools and incentives to young farmers. Future CAP should provide a wider range of instruments to support young farmers while contributing to the generational renewal.