By: Moja Dolenjska
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food, Mateja Čalušić, withdrew the proposed law on the reorganisation of the Public Agricultural Advisory Service after a meeting yesterday with Dr Jože Podgoršek, President of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (KGZS).
This means that around 330 agricultural advisors in Slovenia will remain under the jurisdiction of KGZS, and no reorganisation will take place.
At the same time, upon KGZS’s proposal, Čalušić extended the public consultation period for several agricultural laws:Agriculture Act, Food Act, and the Act on Food Safety and Animal Feed (extended from 60 to 75 days), and Animal Health Act (extended from 45 to 60 days).
Dr Jože Podgoršek expressed his belief after the meeting that future dialogue would be substantive rather than political. “Some legislation needs to be updated, and certain aspects of the existing draft laws introduce positive changes. However, challenges still lie ahead,” he stated. He announced that KGZS will continue to raise concerns and seek effective solutions for farmers while emphasising their commitment to ongoing constructive cooperation with the ministry.
SDS welcomes the minister’s constructive approach
The Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) parliamentary group welcomed the minister’s rational decisions, acknowledging that after initially questionable moves, she has now taken a more common-sense approach by first extending the public discussion period and now withdrawing the controversial reorganisation proposal.
SDS hopes that in the future, the Minister of Agriculture will engage more seriously with farming organisations before proposing legislative changes. They also expressed satisfaction that the minister supports resolutions previously proposed by SDS in their request for an emergency session of the parliamentary Agriculture Committee.
Former Prime Minister Janez Janša also commented on X, stating: “Great victory! Slovenian farmers – Svoboda 1 : 0. Congratulations, #KGZS.”