It is Hungary's goal to produce high quality, GMO-free local soy, thus decreasing the country's dependence on exports, said Minster of State for Agricultural Economy György Czerván following a meeting with President of the Danube Soy Association Matthias Krön in the Ministry of Rural Development.

The negotiating partners agreed that the European Union should support the European cultivation of protein crops, including soy, within is Common Agricultural Policy, and should encourage member states to produce soy.

György Czerván stressed that in view of the initiative launched by Danube Soy, the Ministry of Rural Development has begun development of the Protein Programme, which is part of the National Rural Development Strategy.

The President of the Danube Soy Association emphasised that traditional soy produced within the European Union should be uniformly labelled to that both farmers and consumers can easily distinguish it from genetically modified goods. He added that the Association supports all national initiatives aimed a stopping dependence on soy imported from overseas.

The Minister of State reminded those present that Hungary had signed the treaty on keeping the Danube region GMO-free, within the framework of which the eight signatory countries are working together within the fields of scientific research and production to reduce import dependence. The international cooperation was initiated by Austria, and in addition to Hungary, Bavaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina also joined the initiative.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)