In a statement after appointing Samuel Vlčan from OLaNO as the the new Minister of Agriculture, who has replaced Ján Mičovský, also from OLaNO, President Zuzana Čaputová said that the new minister will have to deal with great challenges within a short time.
The most important challenges include stabilizing the personnel of the ministry and its associated organisations, consolidating its relations with expert public and professional organisations, and preparing a new strategy connected with investment and the 2021-27 budgetary period of the EU.
"Reform of the state forests will also be crucial. The government's programme declaration in the field of agriculture, food production and forestry has set the right priorities for reform, but we still lack real and prompt implementation of the proposals," added the president.
Completion of the just setting of agricultural payments and grants, and a quick resolution of the accreditation of the Agricultural Payments Agency (PPA) also await the new minister. According to the president, Slovakia's processing capacity and food self-sufficiency also need to be strengthened.
In her view, crisis management, knowledge of conditions, and a managerial approach are the main requirements for mastering the complex situation within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. She trusts that the new minister has these abilities and will use them.
