The EU approved 15 million euros to help farmers in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Germany

Brussels – EU member states today approved a proposal from the European Commission to release 15 million euros from the agricultural reserve to support farmers in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Germany, who were recently affected by adverse weather and outbreaks of animal disease. The Commission announced this in a statement. The Czech Republic will receive 7.4 million euros (374.1 million crowns) from this amount.

The measures, according to the EU executive, will help support affected farmers in these countries who have suffered market losses. Slovenia is expected to receive 2.9 million euros (72.3 million crowns) and Germany 4.8 million euros (119.7 million crowns).

“In September 2024, the Czech Republic was hit by heavy rains, strong winds, and floods, which affected the production of agricultural crops as well as fruits and vegetables,” the Commission stated. In Slovenia, spring frosts in the second half of April 2024 affected the production of certain types of fruits and vegetables, which also impacted vineyards.

In Germany, problems related to foot-and-mouth disease emerged in early January this year in the federal state of Brandenburg. The extraordinary measures implemented in the area had significant economic consequences for livestock breeders, the Commission reported. “Operators in the region experienced income losses due to undelivered raw milk and reduced market value of pigs, which are losses not covered by other existing EU compensation mechanisms,” the EU executive added.

Support related to adverse weather events can be supplemented by up to 200 percent from national funds. Support for farmers who suffer market losses due to outbreaks of animal disease can also be co-financed by the affected member state. According to the European Commission, national authorities must distribute support to farmers by December 31, 2025, in the Czech Republic and Slovenia, and by November 30, 2025, in Germany. (May 22)