Richard Takáč will brief Slovakia’s government on drought and milk prices

At its first meeting after the holiday period, scheduled for Wednesday, 19 August, Slovakia’s cabinet will receive a briefing on problems affecting agriculture, according to Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takáč. He identified persistent drought and low milk prices among the issues to be presented.

Takáč said a joint meeting had examined what he called serious conditions in the sector. The drought has affected agriculture across Slovakia, while the harvest of wheat, barley and oil-seed rape is currently at the country’s five-year average. “We cannot say that the situation is entirely catastrophic,” he said.

The minister said the most difficult conditions were affecting fodder crops, particularly maize used for silage. He linked the shortage of this feed to difficulties for farmers engaged in livestock production. Takáč said colleagues in the sector had assured him that feed for farm animals could be obtained.

Possible restrictions on animal-feed exports could conflict with European Union legislation, Takáč said. He added that he planned to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Robert Fico and Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický, both members of Smer-SD, and seek funding to compensate farmers.

Takáč also announced changes to the advisory board: Klaudia Halaszova will become its chair, while Emil Macho, vice-chairman of the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber, will serve as deputy head. He again rejected the possibility of privatising Slovakia’s irrigation system. “No one here is going to hand over Hydromelioracie into private hands,” he said, referring to the state-owned company. “Since I took office, I have been saying: no privatisation; this will remain in state hands.”