New support measures in the agri-food sector

On Monday 4 May, the Commission published the latest package of exceptional measures to further support the agri-food sectors most affected by the corona crisis.

The exceptional measures (announced on 22 April) include private storage aid for the dairy and meat sectors, temporary authorisation for self-organisation of market measures by operators in severely affected sectors, and flexibility in the implementation of market support programmes. In addition to these market measures, the Commission proposed to allow Member States to use rural development funds to compensate farmers and small agri-food businesses up to EUR 5 000 and EUR 50 000 respectively.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski said: "We acted quickly so that all the necessary measures would be available as soon as possible to support farmers and other people affected. Some agricultural and food markets have been severely affected by the crisis. However, I am convinced that these measures will provide concrete support, send the right signal to the markets and will soon provide a degree of stability. Both the previous support measures and this package show that the Commission is ready and will act when necessary. We will continue to monitor the situation, in close contact with stakeholders, the European Parliament and Member States".

The following exceptional market measures were proposed on 22 April and have now been fully adopted and published:

1. Private storage aid;
2. Flexible implementation of market support programmes;
3. Temporary derogation from Union competition rules.

These measures follow a broad package of measures already adopted by the Commission. That package provided support to the agri-food sector in the current crisis situation, with an increase in State aid and advances and an extension of the deadlines for the submission of payment claims. This relaxation of the rules of the common agricultural policy is intended to reduce the administrative burden on farmers and national administrations.

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