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A Voridis announcement of what was done in the last “informal conference call” with his counterparts last Wednesday underscores the need for additional relief measures, however, without clarifying the horizon regarding what the rural world can reasonably expect. .
After all, as the Minister stressed in his communication with Agronews on Thursday morning, the measures on the table are of two kinds:
– those who come to replace recorded loss of income of farmers
– those who come to facilitate them liquidity conditions for the exercise of the activity
The first is achieved mainly with national resources (150 million euros) and an effort to save up to 1% of the RDP, that is, 41 million euros, from the so-called Programs.
The second could be facilitated by the acceleration of a courageous advance, that is to say, more than 80%, of the unique aid, by financial programs of the banks and by the possible suspension of some obligations with the fiscal authorities and the insurance funds. It should be noted, however, that the latter possibility has not been activated for farmers.
Voridis’s announcement is as follows:
Additional relief measures of the primary sector of Greece
The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Makis Voridis, participated in the informal teleconference of the Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries of the European Union that took place on Wednesday May 13, 2020 on the effects of the coronation pandemic on the agricultural industry and fishery.
During the teleconference, the Minister developed in his counterparts the critical and essential measures taken by the Ministry to support the productive sectors of our country that have been affected by the health crisis, while pointing out the need for additional measures by the European Union. , through the provision of greater flexibility and use of the Rural Development Program (PDR) and the Operational Program for Fisheries and the Sea (EPALTH).
The Minister made special reference to the strong blow caused by the crisis of the crown pandemic in the Greek fishing industry and stressed that the Ministry is working to take measures to alleviate coastal fishing in the amount of 15,000,000 euros, while The Program de Pesca is already establishing the Fishing Framework and Fishing Support. He even added that, as a matter of priority, the necessary measures are being taken to activate the measure for the temporary cessation of fishing activities, as well as the measure for the compensation of fish farmers through EPALTH.
At the same time, Mr Voridis welcomed the immediate response shown by the European Presidency and the Commission to the satisfaction of requests for support from Greece, noting, however, that additional resources are needed to curb the effects of the crisis caused by the pandemic in all affected areas. of the primary sector.
In this context, the Minister advocated the use of the crisis distillation measure to support the wine industry of the European Union and, consequently, our country, while encouraging the allocation of European funds for practical support. of wine producers.
In addition, Mr. Voridis stressed that Greece supports the Extraordinary Temporary Measurement Support of the Rural Development Program (RDP) under approval, and emphasized its special importance in the immediate relief of farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the Minister estimated that to finance this measure, a percentage of 2% of the RDP should be allocated, fully financed (100%) by the European Union.
Furthermore, Mr Voridis emphasized that the quickest possible payment of the Community aid advance and at a higher rate will be beneficial in meeting the extraordinary liquidity needs of farmers who have been created in these particularly adverse conditions.
In this regard, the Minister proposed the following:
- The highest initial payment at a rate of 80% of direct payments with a possible payment date in early October and specifically as soon as possible.
- Higher percentage of advances over 50% for RDP investment measures with reduced guarantees.
- Lower percentage in on-site inspections for animal identification and registration up to 1.5%.
- Complete flexibility for the transfer of resources between the PDR measures.
The teleconference was attended by the Vice Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Fotini Arabatzi, and the Secretary General of the Ministry, responsible for Rural Policy and Community Resource Management, Mr. Konstantinos Baginetas.
Previously, Agronews wrote:
The possibility of paying the single aid in June is alive
The possibility of paying the single aid for more than 70% remains open in June, as Rural Development Minister Makis Voridis says in Agronews, after the informal Council of EU agriculture ministers held in an afternoon teleconference. Wednesday.
The chances of the Council finally approving that decision remain high, especially after the agreement reached by German Agriculture Minister Julia Klekner.
However, it should be noted that in this informal teleconference, more clarified things, regarding weak interventions from his side European Comission, despite the fact that decisions have been made to improve the position of farmers in relation to the problems that the pandemic has created in the market.
As Mr. characteristically states. Voridis, European Commission movements to date do not bring new money to support farmersThey essentially offer the possibility of using national resources and this only in cases where it has been shown that the pandemic has been damaged.
Even the aid of 5,000 euros, so much has been said, refers to the possibility of seeking some funds from the structural measures of the Rural Development Program (RDP), which is estimated at 1% of the total budget and services estimate that it is close to 41 million euros, stressed the minister. And continues. I asked that this percentage double, that is, become 2%, in order to have the opportunity for greater flexibility, but everyone should understand that With this money a new program must be made to compensate the victims of Covid – 19.
Of course, as we have said, the minister emphasizes, this is a special reinforcement, in essence compensation of up to 5,000 euros for individual farmers and up to 50,000 euros when it comes to business operating in the broader field of agri-food.
As Mr. Voridis said: Final EU approval for this program will be granted next month. and by the end of June we will know exactly what farmers must do to receive subsidies. The process will be carried out through a platform of the ministry, which is already in operation.
