Visegrad Group ministers express concerns over EU agricultural policy

Agriculture ministers from the Visegrad Group (V4) met on Monday, led by Slovak Minister Richard Takáč, to discuss the proposed EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) regulation. The group expressed several reservations regarding the current draft.

Slovakia and the Czech Republic are calling for changes to support capping rules and the definition of end-users. They seek a voluntary approach with greater flexibility for member states and individual agricultural enterprises to prevent unjustified reductions in support.

Other V4 demands include improvements to investment financing, risk management, land-use rules, social conditionality, and flexibility in supporting transformation. Additionally, Hungary requested the ability to continue supporting the expansion of existing producer organizations.

The ministers agreed that the proposal requires further adjustment and plan to issue a joint statement to the Irish Presidency of the Agrifish Council to address these open issues.