The European Union must require non-EU countries exporting agricultural products to meet the same production standards upheld by EU member states, Hungarian Agriculture Minister István Nagy asserted in Brussels on Monday.
He argued that unregulated, low-cost imports are undermining Europe’s competitiveness, particularly with Ukrainian produce flooding border states.
Speaking after a meeting with EU counterparts, Nagy criticized the current EU agreement on Ukrainian imports, set to expire in June, for failing to adequately protect European farmers. “Cheap produce entering the EU without controls further weakens our markets,” he stated, adding that import quotas for products like honey, eggs, and sugar have already been exceeded, destabilizing markets in several member states.
Nagy stressed that the EU must prioritize the long-term interests of member states, particularly those bordering Ukraine. “We haven’t heard much about the European Commission’s plans in this respect,” he noted. Until a viable solution emerges, Hungary will enforce a border closure to Ukrainian agricultural imports to safeguard its farmers.
The minister urged the EU to address these issues when revising Ukraine’s association agreement, calling for stricter limits on the volume of imports and the inclusion of “sensitive produce” like wheat and corn in future agreements. He explained that much of the Ukrainian produce gets stuck in border countries, creating significant market disruptions.
While Nagy welcomed the reopening of Ukraine’s Black Sea transport routes for exports, allowing produce to reach international markets through traditional sea channels, he emphasized that Hungary’s farmers must not bear the brunt of global food security efforts. “Global food security is essential, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of Hungarian farmers’ livelihoods and domestic trade,” he stressed.
Nagy also expressed serious concerns about Ukraine’s potential EU membership, warning it could have “unpredictable and irreversible consequences.” He argued that granting Ukraine accession would dilute EU agricultural subsidies and “lead to the ruin of Hungarian farmers.” The Hungarian farmers’ association recently echoed this sentiment, labeling Ukraine’s EU bid as catastrophic for the region’s agricultural industry.
In closing, Nagy reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to protecting its farmers and called on the EU to find balanced solutions that safeguard both European and global interests.
