The European Commission announced that member states on Monday approved a EUR 100 million support package for farmers in Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Of this, Poland will receive EUR 39.33 million, while EUR 9.77 million will be allocated to Bulgaria, EUR 15.93 million to Hungary, EUR 29.73 million to Romania, and EUR 5.24 million to Slovakia, it said.
Farmers from these five member states "are facing issues related to logistical bottlenecks following large imports of certain agri-food products from Ukraine," the European Commission said.
The EU executive also proposed EUR 330 million in additional funding for farmers in 22 different member states "impacted by adverse climatic events, high input costs, and diverse market and trade related issues."
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said: "Farmers are among the first to be impacted by the climate, economic and geopolitical crises. Despite the liquidity issues and difficulties faced, particularly acute in certain sectors and member states, EU agricultural producers keep working every day to provide safe and quality food products. They deserve our support and our recognition."
Wojciechowski added: "Today, the European Commission is again stepping up its financial aid to support EU farmers from all around the EU. National funds can also complement this support."
Earlier this month, the European Commission approved a Polish plan to offer EUR 346 million worth of state aid to farmers affected by Russia's war against Ukraine.
The EU executive said at the time that the measure aimed to "support the liquidity needs of agricultural producers" affected by "the current geopolitical crisis."
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Monday is day 488 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: PAP, ec.europa.eu