Agrarian chambers from the Visegrad Four (V4) countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) have sent a joint, official letter to European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan, urging him to deal with what they view as dishonest business practices in the farming and food sector in the EU, according to the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK) spokesperson Jana Holéciová. Among the red flagged issues are the sale of goods for prices below production costs, prices of goods that don't reflect transport costs, as well as a low proportion of domestic goods on the shelves of retail outlets in individual countries. "Such practices have negative effects on overall business in the sector, fair competition and access for farmers and food processors from the V4 countries to the EU's single market. While the EU still hasn't unveiled any specific plan for tackling the problem, voluntary codices, recommendations and decisions to leave the market to its own devices have resulted in complete failure," said Holéciová.
