Opposition: Loss of EU Funds for Agri-food Sector Failure of Minister Takac

Bratislava, 30 June (TASR) - The opposition considers the loss of EU funds for the Agriculture Ministry due to the fact that they weren't used to be a failure of Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD). The 'Slovakia'-KU-'For the People' caucus and Progressive Slovakia (PS) responded to the statements by Minister Takac, who criticised earlier in the day the use of EU funds under the previous governments of Igor Matovic, Eduard Heger and Ludovit Odor. "The Smer-SD party caused us international shame with the theft of EU funds. And now Takac is blaming us for spending more slowly because we introduced checks and ensured that European money wasn't stolen?" asked 'Slovakia' party leader Igor Matovic. Matovic added that the party, together with MP and 'For the People' chair Veronika Remisova last week warned of an imminent loss of €216 million intended for farmers and food producers. According to Matovic, Minister Takac admitted only €171 million, but failed to mention that another 25 percent was co-financing from the Slovak budget. "This is money that could have saved Slovak farmers. Instead it is gone. "And the minister is playing the victim and making embarrassing excuses, even though he has been at the ministry for two years," said Remisova. The opposition PS party also criticised the work of Minister Takac. "I would expect humility from the minister, resignation into the hands of the president, but instead he brags brazenly. After almost two years of governing, he can do nothing more than shift responsibility for his failures on previous governments," responded PS vice-chair Ivan Stefunko. According to PS, the minister brags about being a real expert, but the result, according to him, is a loss of €171 million. It also questioned claims about better communication with farmers. "The minister claims that he has improved communication with farmers, but on trips all over Slovakia we hear the exact opposite. No one talks to farmers, they spend endless hours on their computers. Many have already resigned and don't even submit applications for assistance that they rightfully deserve," added Stefunko. am