Destruction of Magnesia's agricultural production

Subject: Destruction of Magnesia's agricultural production

The fires that are raging in Magnesia have caused incalculable damage in many sectors, including livestock production.

The Magnesia livestock breeders association has already estimated that 3000 animals have been lost, in other words 80% of existing livestock capital.

Five livestock shelters were burned to the ground in Sesklo. Meanwhile, livestock farmers in Kokkina, Nea Anchialos and Velestino have also suffered losses.

Under the Greek recovery and resilience plan there are a number of instruments that can be drawn on to provide substantial support to ease the destruction caused in the areas affected by the wildfires.

It is vital for support to be provided swiftly to help producers/workers who have been directly and indirectly affected.

In view of this:

1. Can the Commission say whether Greece has requested the activation of the European Union Solidarity Fund in order to address the extensive damage the wildfires have caused to Greek livestock farming?

2. If it believes that some of the funds from the Recovery Fund should be redistributed from big businesses to the affected livestock farmers, are there any EU-wide best practices that could help Greece make swift adjustments to support these farmers?

3. How quickly can the government secure capital from the Recovery Fund for livestock farmers so that they can resume production as swiftly as possible?

Submitted: 8.8.2023

Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission

(24 October 2023)

1. The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) (1) can be activated at the request of Greece within 12 weeks of the first damage occurrence, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002. The EUSF may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authoritie s (2). So far, Greece has not requested EUSF assistance for this disaster.

2. Funds from the EU Recovery Instrument (EURI) (3) can only be used in this context if they are to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, through measures eligible under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) in line with Article 58a (4). Greece therefore cannot secure capital from this fund for the purchase of animals but can use instead the rest of EAFRD (5). Another option might be the income stabilisation tool (6). Interventions are also offered under the 2023- 2027 Common Agricultural Policy (7) Strategic Plan for Greece.

The Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) includes targeted investments to improve the competitiveness of the agriculture sector (8). Under the existing measures in support of the agriculture sector, any support to farmers is to be distributed following a competitive call for proposals.

1 ∙ ⸱ Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by

Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/? uri=CELEX:32003D0785&qid=1692275757189 2 ∙ ⸱

This means, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of the cultural heritage. 3 ∙ ⸱

Council Regulation (EU) 2020/2094 of 14 December 2020 establishing a European Union Recovery Instrument to support the recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. 4 ∙ ⸱

Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, OJ L 347 20.12.2013, p. 487. 5 ∙ ⸱ Under the measure of investments for the production potential damaged by natural disasters. 6 ∙ ⸱ Under the risk management measure. 7 ∙ ⸱

Common Agricultural Policy. 8 ∙ ⸱

Namely through: (i) the Economic transformation on the Agricultural Sector; (ii) the Digital Transformation of the Agri-Food Sector; and (iii) Investments in the national irrigation network through Public Private Partnership.
















| | )3. The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is not an instrument designed to provide support in case of emergencies. The Greek RRP has been approved by the Council through the Council Implementing Decision (9). Greece can ask for revisions of its RRP under the provisions of the RRF Regulation. The Commission stands ready to assist the Greek authorities in assessing the conditions for revisions and possibly finding alternatives (10).

9 ∙ ⸱ Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Greece (ST 10152 2021 INIT).

10 ∙ ⸱ These alternatives could be delivered fast and can target the emerging needs and to assess if further changes of the plan may become necessary as a result of

the recent natural disasters.