Specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters
This new regulation allows for specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to provide extra help to EU countries that have experienced natural disasters. The regulation primarily affects Member States facing significant natural disasters, enabling them to access additional rural development funding to support their agricultural sectors. It amends existing rules to allow for more flexible and targeted use of the EAFRD to respond to unforeseen events, ensuring quicker and more effective support for affected farmers and rural areas. The European Parliament adopted its position on this proposal at first reading on 17 December 2024, with an agreement reached with the Council, leading to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/3242.
Analysis
The proposal amends Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 to introduce specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
What changes
- Amends Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 to allow for specific measures under the EAFRD for disaster-affected Member States.
- Introduces provisions for additional assistance to Member States impacted by natural disasters that occurred since January 1, 2024.
- Introduces the possibility of lump sum payments up to EUR 42,000 per beneficiary for affected farmers, forest holders, and SMEs.
- Allows for greater budgetary flexibility in reallocating funding for new EAFRD measures to provide targeted assistance.
Expected impact
- Natural disasters linked to climate change have had devastating effects on rural populations, destroying agricultural and forestry production potential and causing significant income losses for farmers, forest holders, and rural businesses.
- The disasters have aggravated vulnerabilities in the European food system, posing a risk to EU food security and the availability of traditional products.
- The proposal aims to provide targeted liquidity to farmers, forest holders, and SMEs most affected by natural disasters.
Limitations
- The document does not contain specific details on the exact amount of funding to be reallocated or the precise impact on national contributions to the EU budget, as requested in Recital 5.
- The document does not provide a legislative financial statement or quantify the implications for the payment profile, as noted in Recital 5.
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