Repair of damage to public infrastructure and compensation of farmers, livestock breeders and other Arcadia residents for losses suffered as a result of floods

The severe weather phenomena and floods that struck Arcadia on 25 June 2016 caused great destruction in Megalopoli, which was declared to be in a state of emergency.

In seven hours the water reached 191 mm, houses were flooded and some roofs collapsed. The fire brigade had to rescue 12 people — mainly elderly — from houses in Megalopoli and the village of Perivolia. Water had to be pumped out of 75 houses, and 200 calls were made to the fire brigade in Megalopoli.

Arcadia’s farmers and livestock farmers suffered dramatic losses as many square metres of crops were destroyed and a lot of poultry perished.

At the same time, the Mayor of Megalopoli voiced his concern about a potential collapse in the lignite mine in Thoknia, which supplies fuel to the local PPC (Public Power Corporation) plant.

Given that the EU Solidarity Fund can contribute to the rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and that the rural development programmes co-financed by the EU include insurance policies and mutual funds that can be used if adverse climatic phenomena occur:

What measures will the Commission take both to compensate farmers, livestock breeders and other residents of Arcadia for the losses they have suffered as a result of the floods and to repair the damage caused to public infrastructure in the area?

Answer given by Commissioner Hogan on behalf of the Commission

Concerning the compensation of local farmers and livestock breeders, European Union (EU) rules on state aid applicable to the agricultural sector(1) allow Member States to set up national aid schemes to compensate for damage caused by natural disasters, exceptional circumstances or adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disasters. Greece has indeed established such aid schemes in the past. Moreover, in rural development programmes co-financed by the EU budget, Member States can introduce measures providing support for the restoration of agricultural and production potential damaged by natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events(2). Finally, as correctly mentioned by the Honourable Member, the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) can contribute to the rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure. For the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) total direct damage caused by the disaster must exceed 0.6% of gross national income; and the responsible authorities must apply for EUSF assistance within 12 weeks after the first occurrence of damage. EUSF assistance may be used for public emergency and recovery operations, including the cleaning-up of natural zones. EUSF aid must be approved by the Council and the European Parliament. For more information on specific measures of the Greek Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020, the Honourable Member is advised to contact directly the Managing Authority of the Greek Rural Development Programme(3). (1) Article 25 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 or Part II, Chapter 1, Section 1.2.1.2 of the European Union Guidelines for State Aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020. (2) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02013R1305-20140101&rid=1 (3) Managing Authority of the Greek Rural Development Programme L. Athinon 58, 10441, Athens Tel:+30 210 5275203-4, +30 210 5218102-3, +30 210 5275100 FAX:+30210-5275124 e-mail: agrotikianaptixi@mou.gr Website: http://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/index.php?