HUNGARY
The cross-cutting strategic objectives of the MAP were administrative simplification, enhancement of the competitiveness and the level playing field. Progress in these areas included the adoption of legislation streamlining the procedures related to the utilization of European funds, as well as laying down the rules of establishment and recognition of producer organisations and inter-branch organisations; establishment of the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Interbranch Organisation (MA-HAL); launching an online application management system and an aquaculture geo-information system; and the reduction of the VAT rate on fish products from 27 to
5. However, the impact of these measures on the indicators and the sector as a whole are still hard to evaluate.
disbursed to the beneficiaries. Final financial reports have only been received for two projects at the moment.
Concerning the implementation of MAHOP, 166 aid applications have been received to date for a total amount of 37,815,856 EUR (i.e. 73 of the total MAHOP budget). Fifty-eight support decisions for a total amount of 15,915,152 EUR (31 of the MAHOP budget), had been issued by the beginning of December 2018, and decisions on a further 6,054,828 EUR are expected by the end of December. Actual payment requests have been received for 3,898,005 EUR, whereof 2.139.455 EUR (4 of the budget) have been
In view of the above, the direct impact of MAHOP cannot be evaluated to the moment. Still, on many occasions, the achievement of the indicators included in the MAP exceeded the initial predictions. The per capita fish consumption reached 6.4 kg in 2017, while the target for 2023 was only 6.1 kg. By 2016, 142 hectares of new fishponds had been built and 1690 hectares reconstructed (the interim target for 2018 was 400 ha and 1000 ha, respectively). The number of intensive fish farms reached the 2018 target (17 farms)
by 2016. The food fish production in 2017 (18.257 tonnes) significantly exceeded the 2018 interim target (16,500 tonnes) and almost reached the 2023 target of 18,750 tonnes. Of course, for the moment, these results can hardly be attributed to MAHOP, but rather to the impact of the previous EFF, legislative and policy decisions of the government, as well as the favourable market situation. Consequently, there is hope that when the results of MAHOP become measurable, they will give a further impetus to the sector, allowing further growth and significant overachievements of the targets.
Innovative pond farming systems are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable
Integrated aquaculture offers multiple beneďŹ ts Hungary, a landlocked country, is richly endowed with inland water resources. These enable a thriving freshwater aquaculture sector and a large and active angling community.
H
ungary’s inland water resources include both surface and ground water and they are plentiful in most parts of the country. The country also has thermal water reserves and special water habitats that are unique in Europe. Surface water resources per capita, at 11,000 m3, are among the highest in Europe. The entire area of Hungary, some 93,000 km2, is part of the Danube catchment. There are almost 10,000 registered surface water flows in Hungary nine tenths of which are from large or medium transboundary rivers. Annual precipitation is 500-900 mm and snow 28
coverage is 30-80 days depending on the altitude. Most rivers flood twice a year, in spring due to melting snow, and in summer due to rainfall. In addition, there are 4,000 stagnant water bodies in Hungary, three quarters of which are artificial lakes. Groundwater resources both shallow and deep
are plentiful in Hungary with close to 70,000 deep groundwater wells. Reed and fish farming accounts for 1.4 of the cultivated land of 74,000 km2. In comparison, cropland is 58.7, while vineyards, orchards, and horticulture account for 3.5 (Water in Hungary, 2017). Fish
farming is a historical activity and fulfils different roles – primarily the production of fish for human consumption, but it also provides restocking material for natural water bodies and for anglers. In addition, one and two season-old farmed fish is sold to other farmers who on-grow the fish to market size.
Evolution of pond area and the number of intensive systems 2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Operating pond area (ha)
24,364
26,083
24,608
24,033
24,882
26,480
26,065
Number of intensive systems
11
15
17
17
18
17
21
Source: Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture
www.eurofishmagazine.com
& " % " ,/))