Brussels – Today, EU member states approved a proposal from the European Commission to allocate 15 million euros from the agricultural reserve to aid farmers in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Germany. These farmers have recently faced challenges due to severe weather conditions and animal disease outbreaks. The European Commission made this announcement in a statement. Of the total, the Czech Republic will receive 7.4 million euros (equivalent to 374.1 million crowns).
The EU executive indicated that these measures aim to assist farmers in the affected countries who have experienced losses in the market. Slovenia is set to receive 2.9 million euros (72.3 million crowns), while Germany will obtain 4.8 million euros (119.7 million crowns).
According to the Commission, “In September 2024, the Czech Republic was struck by heavy rains, strong winds, and floods, which adversely impacted the production of agricultural crops, fruits, and vegetables.” In Slovenia, spring frosts in late April 2024 affected certain fruit and vegetable yields, as well as vineyards.
In Germany, the emergence of foot-and-mouth disease in early January this year, particularly in the federal state of Brandenburg, has created significant economic challenges for livestock producers, as reported by the Commission. “Operators in this region faced income losses due to undelivered raw milk and a decrease in the market value of pigs, which are not covered by any current EU compensation schemes,” the EU executive added.
Support for damages due to adverse weather can be supplemented by as much as 200 percent from national resources. Additionally, support for farmers impacted by animal disease outbreaks can also be co-financed by the member states involved. The European Commission has set deadlines for national authorities to distribute these funds by December 31, 2025, in the Czech Republic and Slovenia, and by November 30, 2025, in Germany. (May 22)
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