“The cultivation of GMOs cannot represent a solution to climate change and other challenges; the effects of GMOs are unpredictable. Every second placard at the farmers’ protests timed to coincide with the Green Week agriculture expo in Berlin were statements against GMOs and calls to stop industrial animal farming”, Minister of Agriculture Sándor Fazekas said on Hungarian public television’s morning show on Wednesday.

Speaking about his experiences at this year’s International Green Week in Berlin, the world’s largest agriculture, food industry and horticulture consumer fair, the Minister of Agriculture explained: “At the centre of the expo, which is open until Sunday, stands the Hungarian pavilion, which has been visited by an estimated 200 thousand people since the fair opened on Friday”.

During the expo, Mr. Fazekas held twenty bilateral meetings with ministers and state secretaries from other countries; “Hopefully, the expo and the effects of Hungary’s appearance as guest of honour will be mirrored in increased trade during the upcoming years”, he said.

Hungary’s GMO-free agriculture was also a topic of discussion during the Minister’s many meetings. “It makes a difference what we produce and what we eat, and this is something we agreed upon with my negotiating partners”, Mr. Fazekas said. “It is important for there to by healthy, natural and GMO-free traditional foods on the market. It is clear that there is a high demand for such products and this is an opportunity that we must exploit”, he said. “The guest of honour is given particular attention at the Green Week in Berlin, and this status is being filled by Hungary this year. On such occasions the opening gala, the reception for businesspeople and farmers and the various cultural programmes all showcase Hungarian creativity”, the Ministry of Agriculture said.

“High levels of production and high yields require professional agricultural machinery. The 35th AGROmashEXPO and 7th Agricultural machinery Show, one of the largest Hungarian agricultural trade fairs, is opening today with 300 exhibitors awaiting visitors on 38 thousand square metres of floor space. The four-day event showcases the whole Hungarian and foreign agricultural machinery industry”, the Minister said, according to whom he is counting on this year being a year of growth for agricultural machinery manufacturers, which will be facilitated by funding received within the framework of the Rural Development Programme.

(Ministry of Agriculture Press Office)