THE European Commission approved the Greek state aid program, amounting to 80 million euros, for compensation for damages from natural disasters and adverse climatic phenomena in agricultural sector

The program aims in supporting farmers that they have suffered damage to their crop and livestock production or to their fixed assets, the stored products and their production equipment due to unforeseen events. Such unforeseen events include natural disasters (eg heavy or prolonged rainfall, high temperatures, snowfall and severe drought). Under the scheme, which will run until 31 December 2027, aid will take the form of direct grants. The maximum aid amount per beneficiary is 200,000 euros.

The Commission assessed the scheme in accordance with EU State aid rules. Under Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, Member States are allowed to repair damage caused by natural disasters or extraordinary events and to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions. In this context, the Commission implemented the 2022 guidelines on State aid in agriculture and forestry and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to achieve the intended objective.

Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the regime is proportionate as it is limited to the minimum necessary and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Greek scheme, under EU state aid rules.