Brussels, 20/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission gave its approval in principle, on Tuesday 17 May, for advances to be paid to help farmers affected by the drought in the north of Europe (see EUROPE 10380).
France has received an agreement in principle from the Commission for 80% of the suckler cow premium to be paid early - on 16 October, rather than the usual December. France has also asked for advance payment of 50% of direct decoupled aid to be paid in mid-October. The Commission has not yet given its go-ahead to this.
On Thursday 19 May, on the sidelines of the Management Committee for Direct Payments, Spain submitted a formal request to be allowed to make advance payment of 50% of decoupled aid. The reasons it gave were: the exceptional climatic conditions affecting the whole country over the past 12 months (in particular, heavy rainfall), the serous economic crisis that has been affecting the Spanish agricultural sector for a year, and the difficulties that farmers are finding in being able to access bank loans.
Three other countries - Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg - have shown interest in obtaining advance payment of some direct aid because of the drought. Hungary, too, has asked for early payment of monies from the Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) because of the late frost. The requests of each of these countries will be considered in the next meetings of the Management Committee for Direct Payments. For the moment there is no need to rush as aid will only be paid in mid-October. (L.C./transl.rt)