Opposition Blasts Minister Takac for Downplaying PPA Crisis (2)

Bratislava, 29 April (TASR) - Opposition MPs from the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) and Progressive Slovakia (PS) on Wednesday criticised Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) for "downplaying the situation" at the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA). A looming suspension of the PPA's accreditation was due to be discussed by the House Committee on Agriculture and the Environment on Tuesday (28 April), but the session did not take place due to a lack of attending MPs. Minister Takac was also absent. "Minister Takac is cowardly avoiding the committee and responsibility because he knows the situation at the PPA is extremely serious. They arrogantly tell the people and farmers that everything is fine, just to buy time and cover up their own incompetence. This denial of facts and painting a rosy picture while the system is collapsing is something we last saw under communism, when officials told people everything was working even as it was falling apart," said KDH MP Marian Caucik. The failure to open the committee session due to a lack of MPs has become standard practice, according to Progressive Slovakia MP Ivan Stefunko. He warned that Slovak agriculture is losing opportunities and its ability to remain competitive. "What is happening at the PPA in this context, under the minister's responsibility, is unacceptable," he added. KDH warned of devastating economic consequences. If Brussels suspends funding for the PPA, the government will have to pay subsidies to farmers directly from the state budget. "This is no longer just the failure of one minister, Takac. This is the direct and full political responsibility of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), who has allowed the entire Slovak agriculture sector to fall to rock bottom. We are facing the most serious threat to the Slovak countryside and food self-sufficiency in history. That is why we in KDH say clearly: we call on Robert Fico to stop burying his head in the sand and start addressing this problem personally and immediately," added KDH vice-chair Viliam Karas. "I sent a letter yesterday (28 April), or the day before, to the committee chair because I received an invitation to the committee's session. I asked him to reschedule today's meeting because everyone knew there was an away-from-home government session on Wednesday and that I would not be present in Bratislava," Takac said in Liskova after the government session. According to Takac, MPs knew he was interested in attending the committee session, where he intended to appear with the PPA general director to explain "how the processes work". "In my view, this is just political manoeuvring by the opposition. They are polarising society and spreading disinformation, especially in the agriculture sector. I will request an alternative date for the committee session at a time when I can attend. I will be happy to come and explain what's really happening to MPs," the agriculture minister added. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday rejected claims that payments to farmers were at risk. No payments for Slovak farmers or rural development are under threat, the ministry's press department declared in response to statements regarding the PPA's accreditation. According to the ministry, high-level talks also confirmed that the European Commission (EC) and the Slovak side are proceeding in a coordinated, professional manner without political games. "All the more we consider it irresponsible that part of the opposition, instead of engaging in substantive debate, deliberately spreads disinformation about what it often does not understand and unnecessarily unsettles Slovak farmers," the ministry underlined. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the last six paragraphs mf