Takac: Slovakia May Have 20-30 percent Less Money in New Programme Period

Bratislava, 16 January (TASR) - Slovakia may have 20-30 percent less funding for the agricultural sector in the new programme period, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) stated at a press conference on Friday following bilateral talks with Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida. Takac pointed to discussions on the new EU financial proposal from 2028 and the form of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027. The European Commission expects lower funding for the agricultural sector after 2028. Takac pointed out that, in principle, external convergence shouldn't apply after 2028, with Slovakia receiving approximately 83 percent of the direct payments made to older member states. "We can say with complete certainty that we'll have 20-30 percent less funding for the agricultural sector in Slovakia in the new programme period," said the minister. Takac also considers the debate on changing the CAP architecture to be important. According to him, the Commission is discussing the creation of a single 'superfund' and the merger of the first and second pillars. "There are certain things that are being discussed," he said, adding that Slovakia will push for settings that take into account the structure of domestic agriculture to be preserved. According to the minister, it is crucial to maintain the voluntary nature of direct payment caps. He believes that mandatory caps of €100,000 per end user would have a significant impact on the sector, given the high proportion of large farms in Slovakia. "Such a setting would mean the total destruction of the agricultural sector in our country," he claimed. The minister also spoke about the competitiveness of European agriculture. According to him, it is being weakened by "excessive green goals" and high energy prices in the EU, which he says are several times higher than in other parts of the world. He praised the fact that several leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are raising the issue of reducing energy prices with the aim of enabling the EU to better compete with third countries. am/df