The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, announced on Monday 20 March to the Agriculture Council – which was reviewing the situation of agricultural markets – a proposal to grant €56.3 million to Poland, Bulgaria and Romania.
This aid will be financed by the agricultural crisis reserve to help compensate affected farmers for the economic losses suffered due to increased imports of cereals and oilseeds from Ukraine and to limit the impact of market imbalances on their planting decisions.
Farmers in countries bordering Ukraine have expressed their concerns about the effects of this increase in imports on local markets. The trade disruptions caused by the Russian aggression must not be at the expense of farmers from neighbouring countries, the European Commission said.
The financial aid will be granted to the three Member States, who will then distribute it to farmers as soon as possible.
The European Commission proposes to allocate €29.5 million to Poland, €16.75 million to Bulgaria and €10.05 million to Romania. The three countries can complement this EU support up to 100% with national funds, which would amount to a total financial aid of €112.6 million.
The Commission expects payments to be made to farmers by 30 September 2023, with the three countries also having to notify the Commission of how the funds have been distributed and how they have helped farmers.
The European Commission’s draft measure, in the form of an implementing regulation, is currently being discussed with Member States who will vote on it at the committee meeting for the common organisation of agricultural markets scheduled for 30 March. If approved, the measure will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union at the beginning of April and will enter into force the day following its publication so that Bulgaria, Poland and Romania can implement it without delay. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)