Brussels/Bratislava – The establishment of the European Council for Agriculture and Food (EBAF), announced on Monday (27th) by the European Commission, is good news according to the Slovak Minister of Agriculture Richard Takáč (Smer-SD), but its justification for the EU will only be shown over time. This was reported by the Brussels correspondent of TASR.

The Commission emphasized that the creation of the EBAF fulfilled a key recommendation of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, which took place in 2024 with representatives of the agri-sector, supply chains, and other key players in the agri-food industry.

After the Monday meeting of the EU Council for Agriculture and Fisheries in Brussels, Takáč said regarding the EBAF that he welcomes anything that will help speed up processes within “such a slower decision-making at the European level.”

“I welcome every step, especially if it will also contribute to reducing bureaucracy for our farmers,” the minister stated.

In this context, Takáč reminded that farmers in Slovakia, under the pressure of all EU regulations, devote about 20 percent of their time to dealing with paperwork at the computer.

“If this body, which was established, helps to simplify things, I will just welcome it. But time will tell if it brought something positive,” he described the situation.

The Commission clarified that the first meeting of the EBAF board is scheduled for February 4. The board will consist of 30 member organizations representing three categories of stakeholders: the agricultural community, other actors in the food supply chain, and civil society, including areas like the environment and climate, animal welfare, and consumer protection. (January 28)

“I welcome every step, especially if it will also contribute to reducing bureaucracy for our farmers. If this body, which was established, helps to simplify things, I will just welcome it. But time will tell if it brought something positive.” Richard Takáč