Slovak farmers want equal positions for all

The Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber at its general assembly on Thursday identified four short-term priorities. The first is communication with all the relevant political parties set to contest the upcoming parliamentary election in September. Another priority is the need to address the imports of Ukrainian grain and agricultural products to Slovakia. A European ban on these imports will stay in effect for Central European countries, Romania and Bulgaria until June 4, but what is to come after is not clear. "This issue's here to stay for a long time, as Ukraine will continue to export these commodities to us in the future as well. We want equal conditions for all. It's unacceptable to have someone exempted from eco-schemes and the need to comply with pesticide regulations, while others must abide by them. It puts us at a disadvantage, as we're saddled with higher costs," emphasized Macho. Because of this, Slovak food producers and farmers, together with their counterparts from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria will take part in a protest in front of the European Commission's office in Brussels on May 23. 
Among the remaining priorities, Macho cited the 2024 state budget and communication with the new agriculture minister, expected to be appointed by President Zuzana Caputova soon.