Forestry outline: An agrarian energy program will be completed -coordination with IM (Ministry of Justice)- environmental aspects concerned with forestries.
 
Dr Imre Németh, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, gave his assessment on the year of 2004 and forecast agricultural policy for 2005.
In his introduction he said that 2004 has brought about more changes than in previous years, for instance offices integrating agrarian policy were established. It has been the period of adaptation and learning. Budgetary debates opened the year, due to the amount of limited financial support (Hungary received half of the money provided to countries joining the EU earlier). This fact is an indicator of the performance of the Hungarian agriculture.

Accurate supervision and accountancy are essential to get support. Payments begin only after the end of the financial year, which may cause liquidity problems, he said.
 
10 percent rise
In general, 2004 has been successful, although profits varied depending on sectors.
The efficiency of agriculture has improved, adding a higher rate to GDP. Analysts compared the actual data to the 2002 level and not to the disastrous year of 2003. This year’s production has shown a ten percent increase to 2002.
Plant growing has had a successful year. Corn production has hit records while animal breeding closed with a 3 to 4 percent decline.
Medium-term credits were favoured. Producers applied for 236 billion HUF loans with allowances. SAPARD sources have been used to the maximum.
With purchase prices stagnant and raw material prices 10 percent up, the agrarian span has widened. Foreign trade also increased with an import (about 20 percent) and sales problems. The forint remains strong.
Strategies for 2005
-Operational and institutional improvements as an EU member state
-Adaptation to new market requirements
-Improvement of rural development (money for environment management will be trebled)
-Conception and operation planning for the EU budgetary period for the 2007-2013 years will be started (to support rural development first of all).

Answering questions, the minister said that 40 thousand landowners have been told to root out ragweed (Ambrosia) on neglected lands. He referred to some misunderstandings about husbanding with limited money resources.. More than 30 thousand applications have been registered so far.

Efficient forestry companies will not be devided.
Question of ForestPress :
As for EU regulations environmentally-friendly energy share ought to rise above 3 percent, from the present very low (less than one percent) in five years time, but the country has no agrarian energy program at present.
What changes can be expected in this field?

Minister answered :
The ministry will discuss the topic in a short while a proposal has been made and the departments will coordinate.
The program will have priority between 2007-20013. They plan to use not only wood biomass in energy production but also other plant waste, such as grape residue and rape stems. Alternative fuels in crop drier operation are to be used. Mr. Zoltán Gőgös, MP, commissioner of PM will coordinate the issue.

ForestPress’ second question concerned theft of wood, for forest owners have no means to prevent it.
Is the ministry planning coordination with Ministry of Justice in the problem?

Minister said:
In his view the core of the problem was the lack of conscious forest management on some private lands, gained by the compensation Act.
He said they would consult MJ and urge strict sanctions.

ForestPress’ third question concerned protected forests, since the Greens have been giving loud voice to their demand that forest conservation should go under national park management.
What is FMV’s strategy for these forests?

Minister pointed out:
Protected forests are being managed in accordance with proper criteria on nature conservation.
Forestry companies that are highly efficient also by EU standards, should not be set apart for the purpose of nature protection but be managed as integrated forests, in compliance with nature conservation aspects.