Slovakia faces agricultural budget cuts in EU proposals

In Slovakia, concerns are escalating regarding the financial future of the agricultural sector due to proposals made by the European Commission for the multiannual financial framework covering the years 2028 to 2034. Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč revealed that Slovakia’s funding would drop nearly one billion euros compared to the current budget period, which allocated 4.6 billion euros. During a press briefing held on September 19, 2025, he emphasized the dire implications this reduction could have for farmers, describing it as potentially devastating and destructive for Slovakia’s agricultural landscape. Minister Richard Takáč noted that the proposals are alarming not only for Slovak farming but also have repercussions for the entire European agricultural community. Slovakia has been a member of the European Union for over twenty years, yet it still receives significantly less in direct payments compared to older EU member states, hampering its ability to compete effectively. As of the current proposal, Slovakia's direct payments stand at only 82% compared to these countries, a stark contrast considering that some nations receive funding levels of 130% to 200%. In addition to these budget cuts, there was discussion about a potential special fund to assist countries experiencing challenges due to agricultural imports from Ukraine. However, this fund is proposed only for nations bordering Russia and Belarus such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, leaving Slovakia in a precarious position. Takáč deemed this exclusion to be an incomprehensible twist, highlighting the unequal treatment Slovak farmers face on the European stage. The minister firmly believes that such decisions disregard the challenges faced by Slovak agriculture, which are compounded by its long-standing struggle to attain competitive financing within EU structures. Takáč's remarks reflect a broader concern that without adequate funding, the viability of the agricultural sector in Slovakia is at risk. He added that this anticipated reduction in support poses risks beyond immediate financial implications, potentially threatening the sustainability of farming in Slovakia and further widening the gap between member states with varying levels of agricultural support. There is a pressing need for reforms in how the EU allocates agricultural funds to ensure fair support for all member states, particularly those like Slovakia that have not yet reached parity with their western counterparts. The challenges posed by these proposed funding levels could have severe consequences for food security, rural development, and agricultural livelihoods in Slovakia in the upcoming years.