Agricultural and horticultural producers in other (as yet unnamed) EU countries suffering significant climatic damage may also be eligible for compensation. Reportedly, this will apply not only to the grape and wine industry but also to fruit cultivation in several countries. This scheme is currently being developed and will be announced soon.
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski expressed understanding during Tuesday’s monthly Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting for the difficult situation these four countries have been facing in various ways for some time. For example, the French grape industry faces shortages of spray water, and vast Spanish agricultural areas suffer not only from water scarcity but also from scorching heat. According to Spanish Minister Luis Planas, no grass grows in large parts of his country, and livestock must eat purchased feed year-round.
In Italy, rivers are nearly dry; the Po River contains barely forty percent of its 'normal' water supply. In the Italian mountains, due to low humidity last winter, hardly any snow fell, resulting in the absence of meltwater now.
Wojciechowski said his agricultural department has been inundated with requests for assistance. He clarified that not all requests for compensation would qualify. He stated that of the annual €450 million in the disaster fund for this year, about €250 million remains. Earlier this year, Brussels already approved compensation for five neighboring countries of Ukraine due to market disruptions caused by the grain corridors.
Additionally, the 27 EU countries have the option to activate existing damage compensation schemes in the new GB (which they must fund themselves), and Brussels will also accelerate some payments and advances.