Hungary bans foreign farmland ownership

[Corvus]

Hungary this week moved to ban foreign ownership of agricultural land under its new constitution amid fears over the future of family farming in the country.

The Hungarian Parliament passed a government proposal Monday to amend its 2011 Constitution, or Fundamental Law, to assure that in the future, only Hungarian farmers can purchase Hungarian farmland.

The law set Hungary on a collision course with the European Union, which had given Hungary until 2014 to phase out similar restrictions under previous laws as a condition of continued financial and development aid.

The government of conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed Monday's 263-87 vote as providing "stability, predictability and the opportunity for secure planning for those who live off agriculture."

Backers say it will halt an influx of foreign "speculators" from Austria, Italy and elsewhere who are using subterfuge to snap up distressed family farms at bargain prices.

"This is the beginning of a new era for agriculture," a statement issued by the Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development said. "The Constitution protects Hungarian farmland, our heritage and the basis of our livelihoods, from foreign and domestic speculators alike."

Orban's governing Fidesz Party and nationalist allies such as the Jobbik Party have raised alarms that Hungary's vital farm sector is being undermined by foreign banks and investors who are getting around land ownership restrictions by signing "pocket contracts" with farmers.

Under the alleged deals, the government says foreign investors set up illegal arrangements in which they will gain outright ownership of vast stretches of farmland after 2014 when an EU exemption for Hungary's restrictions expires.

Orban says the new law is meant to help small- and medium-size farmers stay independent as Hungary attempts reduce unemployment levels in its farming regions and boost production after decades of collectivism under communist rule.

The Jobbik Party in April had a demonstration near Gorgeteg in southwestern Hungary at a farm owned by a member of the Italian Benetton family. Protesters demanded an end to foreign ownership, Hungarian news agency MTI reported.

"Jobbik wants all unjust and immoral land ownership to stop in Gorgeteg and elsewhere in the country so that a network of local small and medium-sized family land ownership can take roots," Balazs Ander, a county councilman, said at the protest.

Socialist opponents, however, say fears of foreigners buying huge tracts of cheap farmland are exaggerated and are being used as a cover to deflect attention from the government's plans to privatize state-owned farmland into the hands of political cronies.

Jozsef Angyan, a former Hungarian secretary of state and one-time Fidesz lawmaker who bolted the party over the issue, says only a handful of bidders are benefiting from the process after the party used a promise to favor small, independent local farmers as a key to its 2010 election victory, The New York Times reported.

The new constitution was instituted shortly thereafter.

The government denies those claims and says the moves are necessary to preserve "the backbone of Hungarian agriculture" and to ensure that families in economically hard-hit rural areas will have jobs in the future.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2012/12/21/Hungary-bans-foreign-farmland-ownership/UPI-42121356066240/#ixzz2RCajy5Kt

[The Lawspeaker]

Well done, Hungary. No wonder that the EU is so pissed off with Hungary: the EU has been bought by Monsanto a long time ago and Hungary basically told them to go f... themselves.

[Corvus]

Well done, Hungary. No wonder why the EU is so pissed off with Hungary. The EU has been bought by Monsanto a long time ago.

Even it is on the expense of Austrians I have to agree. Here is a short video concerning the topic:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3vighmyPKA

[Szegedist]

I would say that it is not all it seems. Many lands were shared between party loyalists.
In other words, domestic Oligarchs did not want foreigners to meddle in their business.

[The Lawspeaker]

I would say that it is not all it seems. Many lands were shared between party loyalists.
In other words, domestic Oligarchs did not want foreigners to meddle in their business.
So the domestic oligarchs defend their interests against foreign oligarchs. And what about the smallholder ?

[Smaland]

Good for Hungary. The government of any nation should be loyal to its family farmers, and to the rest of the people.

[member]

Way to go, Hungarians. We have a similar law but it only prohibits buying, not owning. This law is easily turned. In 2014 foreogners will be allowed to freely buy the land. At least all bigger plots are already bougght. On the other hand, some plots are bought specifically for selling them to foreigners later I think.The prices probably will increase. Also, foreigners tend to very empoverish the land, use a lot more chemicals. Like they did in their home countries.

[Szegedist]

So the domestic oligarchs defend their interests against foreign oligarchs. And what about the smallholder ?

As always, the smallholder gets the smallest share.


Hungarian farming went downhill since we joined the EU, they forced us to stop subsidies to farmers and the Socialist government at the time did as asked. Today, agriculture makes up less than 5% of the economy, in a country that consists mostly of fertile soils (some of the best in Europe), and many things are imported from abroad.

[The Lawspeaker]

As always, the smallholder gets the smallest share.


Hungarian farming went downhill since we joined the EU, they forced us to stop subsidies to farmers and the Socialist government at the time did as asked. Today, agriculture makes up less than 5% of the economy, in a country that consists mostly of fertile soils (some of the best in Europe), and many things are imported from abroad.

Man.. that's insane. Particularly in a country like Hungary with it's incredibly fertile soil. It could be Central Europe's breadbasket if the agricultural sector could be restored. I am beginning to think that the EU didn't improve a single economy (in either East or West). It just destroyed everything it touched with it's pathetic "free" market policies. I I do believe in a kind of European-wide farming policy which should put an emphasis on self-sufficiency (Europe-wide and thus a European market) and smallholder ownership. What would remain when the best lands are taken over by the smallholders and voluntary associations of smallholders could be turned into natural areas (like steppe or forests).

[Szegedist]

Way to go, Hungarians. We have a similar law but it only prohibits buying, not owning. This law is easily turned. In 2014 foreogners will be allowed to freely buy the land. At least all bigger plots are already bougght. On the other hand, some plots are bought specifically for selling them to foreigners later I think.The prices probably will increase. Also, foreigners tend to very empoverish the land, use a lot more chemicals. Like they did in their home countries.

This. Too little too late. During the privatization of the 90s, almost everything that was worth something was bought for almost nothing by either foreigners or domestic Oligarchs (at the time just starting out). Today the government is re-nationalizing things again, and it is expensive.

[Corvus]

Way to go, Hungarians. We have a similar law but it only prohibits buying, not owning. This law is easily turned. In 2014 foreogners will be allowed to freely buy the land. At least all bigger plots are already bougght. On the other hand, some plots are bought specifically for selling them to foreigners later I think.The prices probably will increase. Also, foreigners tend to very empoverish the land, use a lot more chemicals. Like they did in their home countries.

Like the "sustainable agriculture company" Montsanto from the US, which ultimate business model is to buy cheap land in Eastern Europe on a large scale in order to contaminate it with pesticides until it is infertile and not profitable anymore

[Baluarte]

As long as the land still belongs to the Hungarians, it can always be redistributed later. Good safeguard no matter its downsides.

[RussiaPrussia]

Even it is on the expense of Austrians I have to agree. Here is a short video concerning the topic:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3vighmyPKA

man i cant believe how ignorant german and western european media has become at least they tried to hide their agenda in the past instead being so obvious, they constantly bash Hungary for human rights portraying it as a fachist country, the same way for Russia. Its all about power, if the media is mad Hungary made something right.

[The Lawspeaker]

Like the "sustainable agriculture company" Montsanto from the US, which ultimate business model is to buy cheap land in Eastern Europe on a large scale in order to contaminate it with pesticides until it is infertile and not profitable anymore
I think that agricultural research should be left to universities and independent research institutes that will work together with the Ministry of Agriculture, voluntary farmers cooperatives and individual farmers rather then to big agricultural companies that don't work for the benefit of the real economy, the farmer, the environment and the Nation as a whole. I believe that companies like Monsanto should be banned by the European Union and that that ban should be enshrined in the law books of the constituent members before the EU collapses.

[member]

Like the "sustainable agriculture company" Montsanto from the US, which ultimate business model is to buy cheap land in Eastern Europe on a large scale in order to contaminate it with pesticides until it is infertile and not profitable anymore

Monsanto indeed is vere agressive. Any contacts with that shit should be avoided. I blamed my mom for buying Monsanto seeds today. She didn't notice who the maker is.

[member]

I think that agricultural research should be left to universities and independent research institutes that will work together with the Ministry of Agriculture, voluntary farmers cooperatives and individual farmers rather then to big agricultural companies that don't work for the benefit of the real economy, the farmer, the environment and the Nation as a whole. I believe that companies like Monsanto should be banned by the European Union and that that ban should be enshrined in the law books of the constituent members before the EU collapses.

They're going the opposite way unfortunately.
European Union Comission is trying to ban seed traids between farmers.
http://www.seed-sovereignty.org/EN/index.html

[Szegedist]

man i cant believe how ignorant german and western european media has become at least they tried to hide their agenda in the past instead being so obvious, they constantly bash Hungary for human rights portraying it as a fachist country, the same way for Russia. Its all about power, if the media is mad Hungary made something right.


“Orbán keeps saying that the west is in decay and he turns to the authoritarian east instead. He is constructing himself an authoritarian regime.”

:laugh:

[Onur]

Monsanto indeed is vere agressive. Any contacts with that shit should be avoided. I blamed my mom for buying Monsanto seeds today. She didn't notice who the maker is.
Do not plant those seeds. If it`s made by Monsanto then it`s genetically modified seeds. These are harmful to your health if you eat it. It`s also sterilized in the labs and you cannot get new seeds from the plant because it`s infertile.

Don't let it grow in your soil even if it`s flowers because it can poison the soil and spoil the other plants near by.

[Baluarte]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI_J5Ylpka4

[member]

Do not plant those seeds. If it`s made by Monsanto then it`s genetically modified seeds. These are harmful to your health if you eat it. It`s also sterilized in the labs and you cannot get new seeds from the plant because it`s infertile.

Don't let it grow in your soil even if it`s flowers because it can poison the soil and spoil the other plants near by.


it's not written that they're genetically modified on the pack.

[Stears]

In 1890, the agriculture and food processing produced less than 32% of the national income.



As always, the smallholder gets the smallest share.


Hungarian farming went downhill since we joined the EU, they forced us to stop subsidies to farmers and the Socialist government at the time did as asked. Today, agriculture makes up less than 5% of the economy, in a country that consists mostly of fertile soils (some of the best in Europe), and many things are imported from abroad.

[Incal]

All the executives of Monsanto should be detained and condemned to death. I'm not kidding.

[The Lawspeaker]

All the executives of Monsanto should be detained and condemned to death. I'm not kidding.
And no trials either. There is a financial crisis going on. It's all too expensive because we need to balance the budget and cutback on government services and security checks to prevent corporate take-overs and all that.. ;)

[Szegedist]

In 1890, the agriculture and food processing produced less than 32% of the national income.

And this is bad?

Farming is a noble, traditional profession, certainly more than a banker...

[Baluarte]

And this is bad?

Farming is a noble, traditional profession, certainly more than a banker...

Peasants and agricultors are an integral part of the Old World. I have nothing but respect for them, even admiration.

The same cannot be said about the bourgeoisie in general, but specially the worthless sectors of advertising, fnance, communication, television, music and fashion (to paraphrase a White French rapper).
Thank the Protestants and the liberals for that civilizational change.

[kabeiros]

That's good. Greece needs a law like this one

[kabeiros]

Hungarian farming went downhill since we joined the EU, they forced us to stop subsidies to farmers and the Socialist government at the time did as asked. Today, agriculture makes up less than 5% of the economy, in a country that consists mostly of fertile soils (some of the best in Europe), and many things are imported from abroad. EU has fucked up agriculture in Europe, I don't know what they were thinking but they fucked all of us. Greece imports vegetables for God's shake :picard2:

[Onur]

Greece imports vegetables for God's shake :picard2:
This is probably your biggest mistake. You have the best climate in the world for all kinds of vegetables and fruits but you even import tomatoes today.

We have the same climate in Turkey and we are one of the 3 biggest agricultural products exporter in the world, top exporter for most of the varieties.

[Xyresic]

We have the same climate in Turkey and we are one of the 3 biggest agricultural products importer in the world, top importer for most of the varieties.You mean export.

[Sisak]

What is with the milk industry? How does it work in practice? I mean, if you have a small milk producers and whether they sell their milk to large companies or directly selling milk to the customer?

[Mary]

They should just stick to producing porn and salami.

[Issy]

it's not written that they're genetically modified on the pack.

I don't know if they have to label it as GMO. I still wouldn't risk it.

[Dombra]

mah buziness plans be ruind

[Sisak]

I don't know if they have to label it as GMO. I still wouldn't risk it.

People in the city do not have another choice but to buy shit. Unfortunately dependent on the decisions of politicians.

[Sisak]

What is with the milk industry? How does it work in practice? I mean, if you have a small milk producers and whether they sell their milk to large companies or directly selling milk to the customer?

[Szegedist]

Just as I said.



The National Land Fund Management Organization (NFA) failed to use objective criteria when distributing large amounts of state land to private individuals last year, left-wing daily Népszabadság reported, citing a leaked document that the newspaper says was authored by the NFA’s official oversight commission.

In 2011, the NFA began awarding low-cost, long-term leases on thousands of acres of state-owned land. However, the results of the bidding process were influenced by a subjective point system; moreover, some individuals in Fejér County never lost a single bid and, mysteriously, these individuals never placed competing bids against each other for the same plot of land, Népszabadság said, citing the report.

A few days before Népszabadsag announced it had obtained a copy of the report, the head of the oversight committee, Mihály Péter, told MTI he was satisfied with the NFA’s work and denied the existence of a report criticizing the organization’s practices.

The commission’s findings, as reported by Népszabadság, confirm the assertions of Fidesz MP József Ángyán, a former state secretary for agriculture who resigned in protest over what he called cronyism in state land contracts. He now dedicates his time to revealing corrupt government practices.

Ángyán says that in Fejér and Borsod-Zemplén-Abaúj counties, 80% of land has been awarded to people with ties to Fidesz. Moreover, Ángyán’s research shows that in over 50% of cases it was not local farmers, but a small number of outside individuals and families who won bids for the sought-after land leases.

After supporting Fidesz in droves during the 2010 elections, rural voters appear to be souring on the governing party. A February 2013 Szonda Ipsos poll foundthat the radical nationalist Jobbik’s ratings are improving in rural areas In northern Hungary, Jobbik is running nearly neck-and-neck with Fidesz.

Nothing more than corruption and oligarchism hidden behind a cloak of "We will protect Hungarian land".