R.Takáč: The European Commission wants to allocate 40% less money for agriculture in the new budget

Bratislava – The European Commission (EC) wants to allocate 30 to 40% less funding for agriculture in the new long-term EU budget after 2028 than it has so far, even though the budget volume will increase by about 800 billion euros for the period from 2028 to 2034. This was stated on Tuesday at a briefing by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic, Richard Takáč (Smer-SD), with the participation of Member of the European Parliament (EP) Katarína Roth Neveďalová, as reported by TASR.

Richard Takáč pointed out that, for example, the so-called capping of agricultural support for large farms will have a significantly negative impact on the Slovak agri-sector.

“The agriculture sector in the new budget proposal for the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy receives 30% less funding. If I were to add inflation to that, we would reach a level of up to 40% less funding. The Commission plans to allocate more money for armaments in the new budget for the years 2028 to 2034, which is larger by about 800 billion euros. On the other hand, for the agri-sector, it wants to allocate 30 to 40% less compared to what it has been so far,” clarified Takáč.

He noted that until now, agriculture had separate funds allocated in the EU budget, but in the new budget proposal, the EC suggests merging all funds together, which he believes is a very bad path, as it will result in the loss of a significant amount of financial resources. He warned that the existing first and second pillars of the EU’s common agricultural policy are being abolished, and there will only be one pillar within agricultural funds.

Capping direct payments threatens Slovakia

“What most threatens the Slovak Republic among the EU member states is the capping of direct payments at the level of 100,000 euros for the final user. This proposal means the liquidation of agriculture in Slovakia due to the size structure of farms,” warned Takáč, adding that the so-called redistributive payment is also being abolished in the new budget. Assistance for food producers will, according to him, be included in other chapters than it is now.

“We will propose various changes to the EC. We do not agree and propose that the Common Agricultural Policy and funds be separate for the agri-sector as they have been so far. We will insist on maintaining the first and second pillars. We can discuss and agree on capping 100,000 euros for one enterprise, but when reimbursing wage costs from European sources,” emphasized Takáč.

Katarína Roth Neveďalová stated that everyone in the EP is dissatisfied with the budget proposal. “The EC has been signaling for several months that there will be significant changes in the budget for the next seven-year EU budget. We did not expect it to be this catastrophic,” added the MEP.

The Common Agricultural Policy, along with funds for regional development and national partnership plans, has so far represented about 65% of the EU budget. In the new proposal presented by the EC in the summer, this will only account for about 45%. (August 26)

“The Commission plans to allocate more money for armaments in the new budget for the years 2028 to 2034, which is larger by about 800 billion euros. On the other hand, for the agri-sector, it wants to allocate 30 to 40% less compared to what it has been so far.” Richard Takáč.