EU: green light for aid for drought problems

The support measures proposed by the European Commission for farmers affected by drought were approved by the 28 EU Member States on Wednesday 28 August. Farmers facing financial difficulties due to drought are eligible for additional support.

Farmers affected by the drought will be able to receive their direct payments from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as early as early October. They can get 70% in this month, instead of the 50% normally paid in October.

Relaxation of greening requirements
In addition, certain greening rules can be deviated from in order to increase the availability of animal feeds. An example is that the minimum period of 8 weeks for the catch crops is being shortened. This also means that arable farmers can sow their winter crops in time after the catch crops. A full list of measures is on the website of the European Commission to find.

The support comes at the initiative of Didier Guillaume, the French Minister of Agriculture. However, the country in the European Union hardest hit by drought is not France, but Poland. This country also pays large amounts of aid to its farmers out of its own coffers.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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