The EC’s agricultural reserve could release millions of euros to help farmers in Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Italy and Romania following severe weather events that have wiped out crops and farmland.
“This proposal to allocate [nearly] €120m from the agricultural reserve of the CAP represents a strong statement of EU solidarity with farmers in need,” says Janusz Wojciechowski, commissioner for agriculture.
The CAP 2023–2024 includes a reserve of at least €450m annually to help countries cope with market disruptions or “exceptional events” impacting production.
Losing production to bad weather
Farmers who’ve lost part of their production and income due to recent weather events will be compensated by the EC.
Various weather incidents hit the countries over the course of the year, including heatwaves and droughts in H1 that impacted crops and harvests in Bulgaria and Romania.
In Q1 2024, an early frost hit orchards and vineyards in Germany, damaging trees and vines.
The money will be split in the following order:
- €46.5m – Germany
- €37.4m – Italy
- €21.6m – Romania
- €10.9m – Bulgaria
- €3.3m – Estonia
“Extraordinary fluctuating” weather conditions, including frosts, cold spells, warm temperatures in March and then hail and intense rainfall and floods in the summer hit various crops including potatoes and rapeseed in Estonia.
“This allocation, which can be complemented by up to 200% with national funds, can provide significant support to farmers who have suffered damages and lost incomes,” continues Wojciechowski.
When will farmers be paid flood damages?
The emergency funds for 2023–2024 have been dipped into four times already in the reporting period for Austria, Czechia, Poland and Portugal due to adverse “climatic events”.
National authorities will have until 30 April next year to distribute the funds if the sum is given the go ahead.
Member States will also have until 31 December this year to inform the EC of the details of the criteria of the farmers receiving the funds, including the intended impact of the measure and any additional support needed.
A decision on whether to approve the fund will be made by the Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets on 7 October.
