EU Member States approved the European Commission proposal to mobilise more than €73 million from the agricultural reserve to compensate Italian farmers in areas affected by avian influenza and African swine fever (ASF), the institution announced on Friday 25 September.
These funds will support poultry, egg-producing, and pig farms affected by these two animal disease outbreaks.
The Commission is granting €61 million to poultry and egg producers affected by avian influenza outbreaks between September 2022 and March 2025, and €12.5 million to pig producers affected by ASF outbreaks between November 2024 and April 2025, for a total of over €73 million.
This aid, which is financed by the agricultural reserve, must be paid by national authorities to farmers no later than 31 May 2027.
At the EU Council meeting on Monday 28 September, Italy will request use of the reserve for the olive oil sector.
The common agricultural policy (CAP) 2023-2027 rules provide for an agricultural reserve of €450 million per year to address market disturbances and exceptional occurrences. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)