Compensation for citrus and avocado producers in the municipality of Platania in the Prefecture of Chania in Crete for losses caused by gale-force winds

The extreme weather conditions and gale-force winds that hit the Municipality of Platania and the Prefecture of Chania in Crete in general in early February 2015 wiped out citrus and avocado crops.

The worst damage was to Merlin orange orchards and avocado crops were also damaged, with 30% of the overall crop falling to the ground.

As a result, local farmers impoverished by the Memorandum are now unable to pay their bills.

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

What measures does it intend to approve to support the citrus and avocado farmers in the Municipality of Platania and the Prefecture of Chania in Crete in general to compensate them for the damage caused to their crops by the gale-force winds and to what timetable?

Source: European Parliament

Joint answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the Commission

There is no measure at EU level directly compensating farmers for damages due to climatic events.

However, as far as products listed in Part IX of Annex I to Regulation 1308/2013(1) (which includes citrus fruit, avocados, cucumbers and tomatoes) are concerned, Article 33(3) in that regulation provides for Union support to crisis management and prevention measures included in the operational programmes of recognised producer organisation. In particular, a measure that may be of use in this case is harvest insurance, the provisions for which are developed in Articles 88 and 89 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 543/2011 of 7 June 2011(2). The aim of the harvest insurance measures is to contribute to safeguarding producers’ income and covering market losses caused by natural disasters, climatic events and, where appropriate, diseases or pest infestations.

Moreover, in rural development programmes(3) co-financed by the EU budget, Member States can introduce measures providing support for risk management including insurance contracts, and mutual funds which can be used in case of adverse climatic events, plant diseases and pests. Additionally, in order to compensate for severe drops in income, Member States may consider making use of the income stabilisation tool. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development also offers support for restoring the agricultural production potential damaged by adverse climatic events. The use of these instruments is conditional on the inclusion of the relevant measures in the rural development programmes.

A Member State can also decide to provide support from their own resources, in accordance with the applicable state aid rules(4) or on the basis of the de minimis regulation(5).

(1) Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17.12.2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013). (2) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 of 7.6.2011 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 in respect of the fruit and vegetables and processed fruit and vegetables sectors (OJ L 157, 15.6.2011). (3) Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17.12.2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013). (4) In particular, under conditions provided for in Section 1.2.1.2 Aid to compensate for damage caused by adverse climatic event which can be assimilated to a natural disaster of the European Union Guidelines for state aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014-2020 (OJ C 204, 1.7.2014, p. 1) and/or in Article 25 Aid to compensate for damage caused by adverse climatic event which can be assimilated to a natural disaster of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 of 25.6.2014 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Article 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (OJ L 193, 1.7.2014, p. 1). (5) Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 of 18.12.2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L 352, 24.12.2013, p. 9).

Source: European Parliament