BRUSSELS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) member states on Monday endorsed the European Commission's proposal to mobilize more than 56 million euros (about 65 million U.S. dollars) from the agricultural reserve to support farmers in five member states affected by adverse climatic events and natural disasters.
Under the plan, Portugal will receive 30 million euros (34.28 million dollars), Romania 14.8 million euros (16.91 million dollars), Cyprus 4.6 million euros (5.26 million dollars), Croatia 4.4 million euros (5.03 million dollars) and Slovenia 2.8 million euros (3.20 million dollars). The allocated budget can be complemented by up to 200 percent of national funds.
The funds will support farmers who suffered significant damage and economic losses throughout 2025 and in the first half of 2026 due to extreme weather events, including storms, flooding, droughts, heatwaves and frosts.
According to the Commission, national authorities must ensure that farmers receive the support rapidly. The aid must be distributed no later than Feb. 28, 2027.
Following the member states' approval, the Commission will formally adopt the proposal, which will then be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force the following day.
The EU's Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027 includes an agricultural reserve of at least 450 million euros (514.26 million dollars) per year to respond to market disruptions or exceptional events affecting agricultural production or distribution.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen said that from drought and heatwaves to storms and frosts, Europe's farmers are paying an increasingly heavy price for extreme weather.
"Climate shocks are becoming the new reality for agriculture," Hansen said, adding that safeguarding Europe's food security requires investment in agricultural resilience, stronger risk management and better preparedness. ■