Signing of joint declarations

The major point of the debate was the signing of two important documents that reflect the priorities and demands of Poland and the countries of the region in the area of agricultural policy:

• joint declaration on effective crisis management in agriculture under the CAP and, in a broader context – a document that indicated the need for the systemic strengthening of the resilience of farms to climate and economic risks;
• joint declaration on cooperation in the field of bioeconomy and counteracting extreme weather phenomena – a document which highlights the need for an integrated approach to water management and the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.

– I am glad that, amongst the eight Member States, we have managed to arrange and adopt two important policy declarations drawn up on the initiative of the Hungarian party. These documents contain a number of important demands and are a common voice of the countries of our region as well as an important starting point for further discussion in the EU forum – emphasised Deputy Minister Czerniak.

Crisis management and the future of the CAP

During the discussion, the chair of the Polish delegation pointed out that the current support instruments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) were insufficient against the scale of needs. The Deputy Minister stressed that Poland supported introducing new solutions such as the reinsurance mechanism for agricultural insurance with the participation of European funds.

– Maintaining the continuity of agricultural production and food security requires a systemic approach to strengthening the resilience of farms in the next perspective post-2027 – stressed Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak.

Priorities of Poland

Poland has consistently demanded the maximum simplification of the CAP and providing the Member States with the greatest possible flexibility in defining specific solutions at the national level. The issue of financing is also essential – according to Poland, part of the basic income support instruments in the form of direct payments should be 100% financed from the EU budget. We want to maintain the strong community nature of the CAP.

– European agriculture must have real development opportunities. We should maintain a balance between the obligations imposed on farmers and the support addressed to them – stressed Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak.

– Generational renewal is one of the key challenges facing European agriculture in the coming years. It is necessary to maintain support for young farmers in the Common Agricultural Policy – added the Deputy Minister.

The meeting in Balatonfüred was held as part of the Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group which was coming to an end. During the ceremony, the Presidency of the Visegrad Group was officially handed over to Slovakia.