Sustainable and resilient food systems discussed and showcased in Hungary during the NAT Bureau extraordinary meeting

For its extraordinary meeting in Hungary on 12-13 September 2024, the NAT Bureau exchanged views and experiences with various stakeholders on how to foster sustainable and resilient food systems at times of growing crises. This topic of outermost importance builds on the ongoing NAT Section work (exploratory opinion requested by the Hungarian presidency) and recently adopted opinions (on How to ensure the social, environmental and economic sustainability of the EU agri-food sector with future enlargement and on a just transition for the EU agri-food systems, just to cite a few).

Representatives from the Hungarian Farmers' Circles and Farmers' Cooperatives MAGOSZ showcased how the climate change affected the crop harvests, soil health, water availability, and highlighted the need for science-based long-term policies, based on dialogue between policy-makers, farmers and civil society actors, placing farmers as part of the solution. The need for competitiveness, careful preparedness towards EU enlargement as well as reciprocity standards for imports of agricultural products were further discussed.

The members further exchanged with the Hungarian National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT) on advocacy, implementation of the SDGs, sustainable competitiveness and economy, green washing, just transition, fair distribution of profits along the agri-food chain, as well as further collaboration with the Sustainable Development Observatory of the EESC. 

Using the opportunity of the presence of the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in Budapest, Mr Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia presented FAO's work on crisis management and support of rural communities. The discussion continued on the global food markets functioning, the consequences of conflicts, the implementation of trade agreements, the needed climate-adapted investments in the agricultural sector (technologies), the positive narrative building, food diversification strategies, and on the needed collaboration with stakeholders.   

Our Hungarian NAT Section member Agnes Cser, President-in-Office of the National Economic and Social Council of Hungary (NGTT), presented the role and work of this Council, which was followed by a discussion with members of the NGTT.

The afternoon session, chaired by our Hungarian member Piroska Kallay, president of the EESC Permanent Group on Sustainable Food Systems, allowed to have detailed exchanges with different stakeholders from the agri-food chain (including Young Farmers representatives), trade unions, and academic experts on agriculture, agricultural economics and employment.

Last but not least, the members visited the Korona Mushroom entreprise, an inspiring family-run large-scale business established in 1990, cooperating with local suppliers, using renewable energy (geothermy and solar energy), circular practices (sewage management, waste water treatment, compost production) and the latest technology (absorption chiller), to produce mushrooms in a competitive and sustainable way for the Hungarian and international market.