On Monday 4 November, the delegations from the countries of the European Union gave their majority support to the 21 October proposal for “specific measures” under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to provide additional aid to Member States affected by natural disasters.
This European Commission proposal, which could also benefit Spanish farmers in the Valencia region following the terrible floods, allows Member States to provide targeted liquidity support to farmers, forest holders and SMEs involved in the processing, marketing or development of agricultural or forestry products affected by natural disasters occurring on or after 1 January 2024 (see EUROPE 13516/11).
See the proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/e5f
Support will be provided to those facing a loss of production potential of at least 30%. The aid will consist of a lump sum of up to €42,000 per beneficiary.
The delegations from the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) who took the floor generally welcomed the Commission’s initiative and the objective of providing rapid assistance.
Among other things, the Commission told the experts that drought, animal diseases and plant pests would fall within the scope of the proposal.
The Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council reportedly concluded that a “large majority” of Member States support the proposal. It plans to put the proposal on the agenda of the next SCA meeting, on 11 November, for approval. The European Parliament will then have to adopt its position before final approval of the text. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)