European farmers affected by floods to receive €120 million

European farmers hit by floods to receive €120 million

September 23, 2024

European farmers affected by floods to receive €120 million (£1,945,000)

After heavy rains destroyed crops and farmland, the EC could use its agricultural reserve to release millions of euros for farmers in Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany and Italy.

This proposal to allocate [nearly] the CAP agricultural reserve of €120 million represents a powerful statement of EU solidarity with the most vulnerable farmers,” said Janusz Wójciechowski.

The CAP for 2023-2024 contains a reserve of at least €450 million per year to help countries cope with market disruptions or “exceptional” events that impact production.

Weather-related production losses

The EC will compensate farmers who have lost part of their income and production due to weather-related events.

The year was marked by various weather events, such as heat waves that affected harvests in Bulgaria and Romania and droughts in the first half of the year.

A frost in the first quarter of 2024 in Germany caused damage to trees and vines.

The money will be distributed in this order:

  • 46.5 million euros Germany
  • 37.4 million euros – Italy
  • 21.6 million euros – Romania
  • Bulgaria – 10.9 million euros
  • 3.3 million euros – Estonia

In Estonia, "extraordinary climatic fluctuations", such as frosts and cold snaps and warm temperatures in March, followed by hail, heavy rains and floods in summer, have affected various crops, including potatoes and rapeseed.

Wojciechowski continued: “This allocation can be supplemented up to 200 % using national funds to provide significant assistance to farmers who have lost their income and suffered damage.”

When can farmers expect to receive compensation for flood damage?

During the reporting period, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland have already called on their 2023-2024 emergency funds four times due to "climate" events.

If the money is approved, national authorities have until April 30 next year to disburse the amount.

The deadline for Member States to inform the EC of the specific criteria that will be used to determine which farmers will receive the funding is 31 December this year. This includes the expected impact of the measures and any additional support needed.

The Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets will take a decision on whether or not to approve the Fund on 7 October.

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