Hogan: Pay subsidies earlier because of drought

European farmers can request a larger part of subsidy funds from the Common Agricultural Policy early. The greening requirements are also being relaxed slightly so that ecological focus areas can be used as feed for the cows.

In this way, the European Commission tries to support farmers who are dealing with the drought. In concrete terms, farmers can receive up to 70% of their direct payments as early as mid-October. This instead of the 50% that will be paid in October. 85% of the rural support can therefore already be paid out. Consideration is also being given to dealing more flexibly with other greening requirements. That made European Commissioner Phil Hogan known. Last year, the subsidies were also paid out earlier, when Hogan made the decision at the beginning of August.

The heat wave that hit Europe this week exacerbated the drought, while in France, for example, it has not rained since early June in some areas. That is why the French Minister of Agriculture Didier Guillaume asked the European Commissioner for this form of support.

France situation
In France the situation seems even more serious than in the Netherlands. For example, the longest river in France, the Loire, is virtually dry. The river has not been this dry in almost 150 years. On Thursday, temperatures of 41 degrees were also reached in France. While there are restrictions on water use in 73 departments, irrigation is prohibited in 22 departments.

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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