Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč sees potential benefits in the EU's trade agreement with Mercosur nations but expresses concerns over increased imports of agricultural commodities. Following an EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels, Takáč talked about the ongoing discussions with the European Commission about deferring unused EU funds from 2024 to 2025. According to Takáč, Slovakia's utilization of EU agricultural funds has improved compared to previous years but he admitted that the country risks losing a portion of its allocation. The ministry is trying to find ways to transfer unused funds to the next fiscal year.
While the Mercosur trade deal could boost exports by eliminating tariffs on goods like cars, Takáč is concerned about the impact of South American imports on European farmers mainly regarding sugar, beef, and honey.
Source: TASR
Patrícia Polakovičová, Photo: TASR
