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The European Commission has presented a series of short and medium-term actions aimed at strengthening global food security and supporting EU farmers and consumers in the face of rising food prices and input costs such as energy and fertilizers. Rising global commodity prices, further accelerated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, again underline the need for more resilient and sustainable EU agricultural and food supply chains, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy.
Currently, food availability is not at stake in the EU, as the continent is largely self-sufficient in many agricultural products. However, the European agricultural sector is a net importer of specific products. This vulnerability, combined with high input costs such as fertilizers and fossil fuels, poses production challenges for farmers and risks increasing food prices.
Support measures for the agriculture industry
- Exceptional support measures of EUR 500 million to directly assist farmers most affected by rising input costs and the closure of export markets. Member States may exceptionally supplement this EU support by up to 200% with national funds.
- To address the cash flow difficulties currently faced by farmers, EU countries will be able to pay higher levels of CAP direct payments in advance.
- Measures will be introduced to support the pork market in light of the particularly difficult situation facing the sector.
- An exceptional and temporary derogation is granted to allow crop production on fallow land, while maintaining full greening payments for farmers.
A communication, a press release, FAQs, and a fact sheet are available.
March 24, 2022/ European Commission/ European Union.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/
