BRATISLAVA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Agricultural representatives from the Visegrad Four countries in central Europe called on the European Union (EU) on Friday to take immediate action to help farmers cope with an extreme drought that has reduced fodder yields and hit crops in several countries in the region.
Representatives from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia made the appeal after a two-day meeting in Nitra, western Slovakia, where the impact of this year's drought and a Europe-wide dairy crisis were among the main issues discussed.
"We must call on the European Commission to find a solution for all member states. The situation is getting worse by the day," said Jozef Sumichrast, chairman of the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK).
"We aren't getting any rainfall, and the problem with the fodder supply for dairy cows and, of course, for other types of livestock is getting worse," he said.
The representatives also called for a coordinated European response, warning that drought and feed shortages could put further pressure on livestock production and European food security.
