PS: Minister Takac Should Announce Additional New Funding for Agriculture

Bratislava, 14 September (TASR) - Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) has once again failed to provide farmers with the real help that they urgently need following a difficult and dry summer, Peter Horny, who is responsible for agriculture in the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, stated on Monday in response to Takac's briefing regarding the disbursement of EU funds to farmers, claiming that the minister should present additional new sources of funding for the agricultural sector. "Farmers have once again been left waiting for real help. At today's press conference, he announced the disbursement of European subsidies in the form of advance payments for direct payments. However, all farmers who submit applications in May and properly manage their land or care for their animals are legally entitled to these payments. "So, this isn't new money for the sector," he stressed. Horny further emphasised that if Minister Takac wants to provide real assistance, he should allocate additional resources to the sector. "He can provide funds from national or European schemes. This would help farmers to make up for the loss of production caused by extreme drought or cover the increased costs of fertilisers and of growing crops. This is precisely what they need the money for; by winter it will be too late. We can also see the ideal approach in neighbouring countries, which are sending aid as early as the autumn. Why does Takac want to go against the grain?" he stated. At a press conference earlier on Monday, Takac said that farmers will receive €200 million in advance payments for direct payments between 16 September and the end of the month, with a further approximately €200 million to be paid out in October and November. By 1 December, farmers are therefore set to receive around €400 million out of the total of more than €662 million earmarked for direct payments. am/df