The agricultural aspects of the war, the KAP Strategic Plans and the Hungarian drought situation were also discussed by the EU agriculture ministers in Brussels, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Monday.
According to the announcement, István Nagy said that the Hungarian CAP Strategic Plan may be finalized in the coming weeks . And due to the extraordinary drought that was put on the agenda at the Hungarian initiative, farmers must be exempted from mowing obligations, the head of the ministry emphasized at Monday's meeting of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries in Brussels.
Regarding the situation of greyhound markets, the minister highlighted the need for a Brussels policy that reduces the unpredictability of the situation.
It is extremely important to stabilize the agricultural activity of the Ukrainian regions, since the world needs the crops produced there both for human food and for animal feed.
This requires an immediate ceasefire so that Ukrainian farmers can carry out agricultural work, as well as finding workable solutions to lift the blockade of Black Sea ports. The crop storages are full, so there is no room for this year's crop, and because of the war, the farmers cannot even sow this year's crops in the fields, so three years' worth of grain crops could be in danger, he added.
The head of the ministry also spoke about the fact that, at the request of our country, the extraordinary drought situation affecting Hungary was on the council's agenda. It is clear that, in the current circumstances, farmers need help, which is why István Nagy formulated several proposals for the European Commission.
As a result, farmers can expect to receive an increased advance payment this year as well.
The Minister of Agriculture also asked the Commission that II. in the case of pillar agri-environmental management subsidies, provide exemption from sanctions for the year 2022.
Farmers who were forced to carry out mowing, stalk crushing and silage operations earlier in order to reduce the effects of the extreme drought and save fodder for the animals cannot be penalized. They could not count on this weather situation when they voluntarily joined these programs, emphasized the minister.
In connection with the Strategic plans related to the new Common Agricultural Policy starting in 2023, István Nagy called for their adoption as soon as possible. The head of the department reminded that the farmers must make their decisions regarding the sowing structure at the end of summer at the latest, for which they must be familiar with the new rules and conditions in order to be able to meet the requirements of the new CAP.
Regarding the Hungarian plan, he said that the negotiations with the Commission are ongoing, which are expected to be concluded in the coming weeks. It was already possible to agree in advance with Brussels on the rules for the crop rotation, which has the greatest influence on the autumn works.
According to this, as a general rule, farmers must change crops every year on all their fields.
At the same time, they can enjoy the flexibility that in a calendar year it is sufficient to grow a different crop compared to the previous year on at least 1/3 of the arable area of the given farm. The crop change involving each field should therefore take place in no more than 3 years, he said.
An important result of the negotiations is that seed hybrid corn can be grown in the same area for 4 consecutive years. From the point of view of practical application, it is welcome that second sowing can also be included in the crop rotation.
It is an important help for the smallest farms that farmers who cultivate arable land of less than 10 hectares do not have to apply the crop rotation rules at all, the Minister of Agriculture emphasized, according to the announcement of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Source: MTI
Featured Image: MH
