EU Commission to Allocate EUR 500 M to Farmers

The European Commission (EC) announced on Monday a comprehensive package of measures, which will support European farmers by providing them with EUR 500 M.

This development came as an extraordinary Council of agricultural ministers in Brussels was accompanied by a large-scale protest of farmers, including Bulgarian producers, in Brussels.

The EC recognised the difficulties experienced by producers and demonstrated its responsibility to farmers.

European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen assured that the package will be available for immediate use by the farmers.

The focus of the response is three-fold as it addresses: cash-flow difficulties of farmers, stabilisation of the markets and the functioning of the supply chain.

The Commission will propose that the most considerable part of the package will be provided to all member states in envelopes to support the dairy sector.

The EC vows to ensure fair, targeted and effective distribution of aid, with preference placed on member states and farmers most heavily affected by the market developments.

The Commission will provide maximum discretion to member states to reflect their specific situation.

The latest aid should be seen in the context of the EUR 50 B support already provided to the agricultural sector.

The EC assured that the commitment to market-orientated approach remains the basis of its approach.