EU earmarks 120 million euros for farmers affected by harsh weather conditions
On Monday, the European Commission put forward a proposal for financial assistance totaling 119.7 million euros ($141.4 million) aimed at aiding farmers in Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, and Romania who have been affected by adverse weather conditions this spring and summer.
TroibNews 
On Monday, the European Commission put forward a financial assistance proposal amounting to 119.7 million euros for farmers in Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, and Romania who have been affected by severe weather this spring and summer.
Germany will receive the largest portion of the funding at 46.5 million euros, followed by Italy with 37.4 million euros, Romania with 21.6 million euros, Bulgaria with 10.9 million euros, and Estonia with 3.3 million euros, as stated by the Commission.
"This proposal ... represents a strong statement of EU solidarity with farmers in need ... Our farmers do not stand alone in the fight against climate change," commented Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture.
The financial aid will be sourced from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-27, which contains an agricultural reserve of at least 450 million euros each year to manage market disruptions and extraordinary situations.
It is anticipated that national authorities will distribute the aid to farmers by the end of April 2025, and they may enhance the allocated funds with national contributions up to 200 percent.
The severe weather conditions earlier this year comprised hot and dry spells in Italy, frost in Estonia and Germany, as well as heatwaves, drought, and storms in Bulgaria. In July, the Commission had already allocated 77 million euros from the CAP for farmers in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Portugal who faced adverse climatic conditions.
Climate change continues to have a significant effect on Europe, resulting in extreme weather events, such as the floods that affected central Europe earlier this month.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
Germany will receive the largest portion of the funding at 46.5 million euros, followed by Italy with 37.4 million euros, Romania with 21.6 million euros, Bulgaria with 10.9 million euros, and Estonia with 3.3 million euros, as stated by the Commission.
"This proposal ... represents a strong statement of EU solidarity with farmers in need ... Our farmers do not stand alone in the fight against climate change," commented Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture.
The financial aid will be sourced from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-27, which contains an agricultural reserve of at least 450 million euros each year to manage market disruptions and extraordinary situations.
It is anticipated that national authorities will distribute the aid to farmers by the end of April 2025, and they may enhance the allocated funds with national contributions up to 200 percent.
The severe weather conditions earlier this year comprised hot and dry spells in Italy, frost in Estonia and Germany, as well as heatwaves, drought, and storms in Bulgaria. In July, the Commission had already allocated 77 million euros from the CAP for farmers in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Portugal who faced adverse climatic conditions.
Climate change continues to have a significant effect on Europe, resulting in extreme weather events, such as the floods that affected central Europe earlier this month.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
