V4 agricultural chambers seek EU aid for milk crisis and drought

Agricultural chambers from the Visegrad Four (V4) countries—Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland—have met in Nitra to address critical challenges facing the region's farming sector. The discussions focused on two primary issues: a severe milk market crisis and the devastating impact of drought on crop yields.

Representatives reported significant negative consequences from recent droughts. Poland noted harvest yield decreases of at least 20%, while the Czech Republic experienced one of its worst harvests in 15 years. In Hungary, corn production was particularly hard hit. These conditions threaten autumn crops and the availability of fodder, which could impact livestock farming.

Regarding the milk market, producers are facing low purchase prices and high production costs. Agricultural leaders are calling for immediate support from the European Commission to stabilize the market and prevent a reduction in livestock numbers, which could increase Europe's dependence on imports. Slovak Minister Richard Takáč expressed a desire to strengthen the V4 bloc's influence in the EU, proposing an expansion to a 'V4+5' format to better advocate for regional agricultural interests.