Stable agricultural markets and predictable prices are in the interests of both the EU and Hungary - said Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas, summarising the discussions held during the meeting of the Agricultural Ministers of the G20 nations in Paris.

At the meeting, the Minister acted as delegate for the European Union being the representative of the current Presidency of the community. The topic of the meeting was the curbing of food price fluctuations, because this is what can guarantee the world's secure food supply in the long term - stated Sándor Fazekas.

The participants of the meeting also accepted a declaration on the importance of guaranteeing a secure food supply. According to those present the Action Plan, which denotes the tools required for this, must provide conditions that are free from large market price fluctuations.

Sándor Fazekas stated: production must increase to provide enough goods for the market and to ensure sufficient reserves. In order to accomplish this it is essential to establish an effective information system, the data of which should be shared by the Member Sates.

A secure food supply can only be guaranteed if markets are transparent and the agriculture sector is made attractive to investors. The ministers strongly recommended the strict and transparent supervision of produce exchanges, as well as efficient risk assessment on agricultural markets. Sándor Fazekas also mentioned that support for small farms had also been on the agenda, as in many countries it is mainly such small enterprises that provide the public's food supply.

The Minister expressed his hope that the solutions put forward during the meeting would work efficiently to curb food price fluctuations, because the world population will increase by several billion over the next few decades and people must be ensured of a secure food supply.

Sándor Fazekas stressed that when finalising the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Union must take into account the decisions of the G20 summit.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)