The Vice-President of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu, together with Latvian MEP Nils Ušakovs and Polish MEP Krzysztof Śmiszek, have initiated an unprecedented joint action bringing together MEPs, government officials, and farmers’ organizations in Eastern Europe with the aim of defending and strengthening European funds for agriculture.

This initiative comes at a time when discussions on the future budget of the European Union are raising questions about the sustainability of funding for agriculture, a sector that is essential for food security, European competitiveness, and the resilience of Eastern European economies.

„Agriculture is the pillar that maintains the economic and social stability of the Union. As representatives of Eastern Europe, we have a responsibility to make our voice heard and to protect the funds that support millions of farmers. It is essential that the future European budget does not leave agriculture in the shadows. In Romania, the area used for agriculture covers almost 13.5 million hectares (57% of the country’s total area) and 25% of the country’s workforce works in agriculture, almost 3.5 million people, the highest percentage in the EU,” said European Parliament Vice-President Victor Negrescu.

Participants stressed that a coordinated approach between Eastern European countries is crucial in the negotiations in Brussels to ensure:

– stable and predictable funding for agriculture;

– support for investment and modernization;

– efficient and realistic agriculture, adapted to regional specificities;

– protection against price volatility and imports that distort the market.

„It is a strong message: Eastern Europe is united and determined to defend farmers and agriculture at European level. We want an increase in subsidies for farmers and adequate funds for the development of rural areas,” concluded MEP Victor Negrescu.

The meeting was attended by Carla Tavares (co-rapporteur for the Multiannual Financial Framework), Armands Krauze (Latvian Minister of Agriculture), Violeta Mușat (Secretary of State in the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture), Jacek Czerniak (Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Poland), numerous MEPs, and representatives of farmers from Central and Eastern Europe.