Brussels, 26/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and implementation of legislation on the quality and origin of products are the two priorities of Hungary, which is to take over the rotating EU presidency of the Council of Ministers on 1 January.
This was announced by Sándor Fazeka, Hungarian Agriculture Minister, at a press conference organised at the Hungarian Embassy in Paris on Thursday 25 November. The minister remained somewhat evasive over the issue of sharing aid between member states. “We must find an equitable system that takes into account the specific features of each member state”, he said.
“Hungary welcomes the position of the French and German governments for a strong CAP beyond 2013, which is a major contribution to the debate underway”, the French Ministry said after a meeting the same day between Bruno Le Maire, French Agriculture Minister, and Sándor Fazekas.
On the regulation, Hungary is reportedly in favour of seeking a compromise that allows market forces to work while safeguarding farmers from price volatility. For the Hungarian minister, intervention and storage are tools to be used with caution. (L.C./transl.jl)