Minister Florin BARBU, together with State Secretary Adrian PINTEA, received a visit at the MADR headquarters from the Minister of Agriculture of Hungary, Istvan Nagy.

The bilateral meeting focused on the collaboration between the two states in the agricultural sector, as well as the situation regarding imports of agricultural products from Ukraine in the context of the preventive measures adopted by the European Commission in effect until September 15, 2023.

The two officials discussed solutions to protect farmers, given that since the cessation of the Black Sea Initiative on cereals, the export of Ukrainian agricultural products has been carried out through neighboring conflict-afflicted member states.

In this context, the Romanian Minister of Agriculture stated that the restrictive measures have had a positive effect on both the cereal market in our country and the transit of cereals from Ukraine, which is on the rise. Romania continues to make efforts to ensure the transit of Ukrainian products to areas with a cereal deficit, in line with the "solidarity routes" concept established at the European Union level.

Both ministers believe that the decision of the European Commission should be to extend the restrictive measures, at least until the end of 2023, in order not to affect the competitiveness of farmers.

Additionally, the two ministers discussed the need to extend the derogations from the eco-conditionality provisions - GAEC 7 and GAEC 8 - into 2024, considering the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Minister Florin Barbu thanked his Hungarian counterpart for supporting Romania's request in the latest AGRIFISH Council meeting regarding the extension of derogations from crop rotation requirements (GAEC 7) and the provision regarding a minimum percentage of agricultural land dedicated to unproductive areas or features (GAEC 8).

Furthermore, during the meeting, the Romanian minister appreciated that it would be opportune at the EU level to establish a subsidy system for the transit of agricultural goods from Ukraine, which could represent a significant incentive for directing Ukrainian products to more distant markets, especially to countries exposed to food security risks, as initially established.

Accompanying the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture were HE Botond ZAKONYI, the Ambassador of Hungary to Romania, Tibor Sandor, the agricultural and environmental affairs attaché.