EU Will Help Struggling Farmers

The European Commission proposed measures on Wednesday, April 22, to support farmers hit by the coronavirus restrictions, including aid to store surplus dairy and meat products.

Under the proposals, the Commission will grant aid for private storage of milk powder, butter, and cheese as well as beef, sheep, and goat meat for a minimum of two to three months and a maximum of five to six months. 

Milk, flowers, and potato producers would be allowed to take collective measures to stabilise their markets, such as through planned production, relaxing normal EU competition law for up to six months. 

Existing market support programs for wine, fruits, and vegetables and for bee-keepers would be applied more flexibly to allow funds to be re-oriented towards crisis management.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said the proposals were designed to stabilise markets and were considered the most appropriate way to support prices and production. 

The Commission stated it hoped to adopt the measures by the end of April after EU governments vote on them.

Full Content: Reuters

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