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Takáč: In the EU, we have support for efforts to address unfair trading practices

by AI | 28.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Richard Takáč in Brussels at the EU Council talked about unfair trading practices in the agricultural sector.

Minister of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic Richard Takáč spoke in Brussels about unfair trade practices. PHOTO: TASR/Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU

Brussels/Bratislava – Slovakia has the support of several EU member states in advocating the issue of unfair trading practices at the European level. This was announced on Monday evening by the Slovak Minister of Agriculture Richard Takáč (Smer-SD) after the EU Council for Agriculture and Fisheries meeting in Brussels, as reported by TASR correspondent.

The minister confirmed that unfair trading practices and also simplifying the common agricultural policy and agricultural trade-related issues were among the main topics of ministerial discussions.

He reminded that the topic of unfair trading practices was advocated in Brussels last year and specified that at present these efforts are supported by ten EU member states.

“Even the European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen assessed that the situation is unresolved, that we have unfair trading practices, and that we need to support the consumer-producer relationship from the perspective of the weaker side. And these are farmers, local food producers, smaller producers, not multinational companies,” Takáč explained. He added that large multinational companies often unduly pressure smaller manufacturers, who are often forced to sell their products below their production cost.

“I am pleased that several ministers supported me and this will be a topic for the future. We are going to negotiate about expanding the list of unfair trading conditions, analyses will be conducted,” he described the situation and emphasized that there is a promise from the European Commission to develop appropriate steps and measures in this area. (January 27)

“Even the European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen assessed that the situation is unresolved, that we have unfair trading practices, and that we need to support the consumer-producer relationship from the perspective of the weaker side. And these are farmers, local food producers, smaller producers, not multinational companies.” Richard Takáč.