Compensation for Greek farmers for damage to their crops because of the drought caused by climate change

Farmers in Crete and other regions of Greece are facing problems caused by damage to their olive groves and vineyards because of the unusually high temperatures, the drought and the dry southerly winds prevailing since last spring.

More specifically, farmers in the prefecture of Lassithi are in despair at the incredible destruction of their crops: they estimate that, in the area of Ierapetra and Sitia, they have lost over 80% of their income from olives and vines.

The problem of drought and water scarcity due to climate change affecting farmers is getting worse so that their very existence is at stake, since the Insurance Regulation of the Greek Agricultural Insurance Organisation makes no provision for compensation for farmers for drought, which it does not consider a possible cause of damage.

Given that, because of the extortionate policy imposed by the Troika, Greek farmers are unable to spend the money needed to grow crops, which is having an adverse effect on the production of agricultural products, will the Commission say:

What steps will it take to compensate Greek farmers for the damage to this year’s crops caused by the drought due to climate change?

Answer to a written question – Compensation for Greek farmers for damage to their crops because of the drought caused by climate change – E-006355/2016

3 November 2016 E-006355/2016 Answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the Commission European Union (EU) rules on state aid applicable to the agricultural sector(1) allow Member States to set up national aid schemes to compensate farmers for damage caused by natural disasters, exceptional circumstances or adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disasters. Greece has established such aid schemes in the past. The compensation should, as a general rule, be paid not later than four years from the date when the aid scheme was established. However, the decision of whether or not to grant the aid at all is the prerogative of the Member State, since it concerns the national budget. Rural Development Programmes co-financed by the EU budget may include measures supporting the restoration of the agricultural and production potential damaged by natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events(2). This might include support to restore damage caused to agricultural capital directly related to the production potential. Further details of specific measures are contained in the Greek Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020(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?obj=4c1776c316a3cccb