Farmers to receive €2m for crop damage

Farmers are set to receive €2m in financial aid to compensate them for problems caused by bad weather, the council of ministers decided on Friday.

Agriculture minister Costas Kadis reasoned that the aid was deemed necessary, as many farmers were hit hard during what is typically the most productive period.

It was further stated that the impact of the bad weather was compounded by the pandemic, as exports and local consumption of certain goods fell dramatically.

Potato farmers on Thursday protested to raise awareness of their plight.

Kadis said that a series of support measures from the council of ministers have been in place “since the beginning”, seemingly referring to the outbreak of the pandemic.

“Up until now, about 30 measures have been passed and approved for the agriculture industry at an amount of about €20m,” he said.

Specifically, Kadis highlighted that potato farmers were supported in the first phase with €1.8m, and more recently a further €1.5m – which had to be approved by the EU.