At the session of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on 25 September, Deputy Agriculture Minister István Nagy presented the document, which was signed by 14 EU member states in Brussels on 18 July at the initiative of Hungary and Germany, to members of the European Parliament together with his German counterpart.
“It is no overstatement to declare that Hungary has become one of the flagbearers of initiatives and programmes aimed at GMO-free protein autonomy within the European Union”, Mr. Nagy highlighted. This is also well-indicated by the fact that the rapporteur for the topic within the European Parliament’s Environmental Committee is MEP György Hölvényi (FIDESZ-EPP).
The Deputy Minister reminded those present that promoting the production of protein feed and the creation of a system of tools to provide a GMO-free protein source for animal husbandry sectors are strategically important parts of Hungary’s agriculture policy.
Leguminous crops play a fundamental role in sustainable agriculture, food security, reducing the effects of climate change and healthy nutrition.
European consumers must be made aware of the fact that sustainable agricultural production means, amongst others, the combination of technologies that preserve soil fertility, do not pollute underground water stocks, take into account biodiversity and protect genetic resources.
“It is the firm belief of the Hungarian Government that the future of competitive and sustainable food production lies in CNP-free cultivation. In 2014, we launched a programme to lay the foundations for GMO-free food production, in which leguminous plants play a very important role”, Mr. Nagy stressed in his speech.
“In Hungary’s opinion, Europe needs a new and comprehensive protein policy in agriculture and within the field of food production. This policy must replace the dependence of animal feeds on imported soya beans”, he added.
“The most important result of our visit to Brussels is that we have been able to explain the importance of reinforcing European protein crop production to more MEP’s”, the Deputy Agriculture Minister said, closing his short review.