Towards a Joint Ministerial Decision on specific support measures for farmers, extension of fuel rebates under consideration

The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. George Georgantas said at noon on Friday, February 18, in a meeting with representatives of Serra farmers, that the government's commitments are valid and that within the next few days, with the EIS to be issued, there will be specific measures, in order to support as many real producers as possible. At the same time, there have been growing speculation that new announcements of support measures by the government are imminent, with George Georgantas being in open contact with Kyriakos Mitsotakis. On the table here has been the extension of the refund of the oil tax to all producers and not only to cooperatives, as has been announced. This measure, of course, if finally chosen, is said not to be permanent, as in the past, but will be exceptional. Finally, some intervention may also be made on fertilisers, if the OK is given by the EU.

It is recalled that the following measures were announced under Livanos at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry:

• Signed, jointly with the Minister of Finance, Christos Staikouras and the Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skreka, the 80% coverage of the indexation clause in the rural electricity tariffs for the period from August to December 2021, amounting to EUR 50 million. «Our farmers will see this amount offset against their next electricity bill,» the Minister of Rural Development and Food said, clarifying that there will be no power cut before this process is completed.
• For January and February, the 50% of the indexation clause for farmers and agricultural enterprises will be covered, a measure which will be specified by a decision of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
• VAT on animal feed is reduced from 13% to 6%, while farmers are supported with a subsidy of 7% on turnover, i.e. on the turnover they will have from January to March 2022, with the amount of the aid estimated to reach €30 million.
• VAT on fertilisers is permanently reduced from 13% to 6%, an intervention of €20 million.
• The transport of animal feed in Crete for the year 2022, an intervention of €8 million, is included in the Transport Equivalent. This measure will be specified by decision of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.
• The programme for the small Aegean islands for the transport of animal feed is increased by €50%, i.e. by €3.5 million.
• Immediate issuance of the EIS by the Ministry of Finance as regards the already announced refund of the Special Excise Duty on oil for young farmers belonging to collective schemes and those who join contract farming, amounting to 50 million euros.

The latest announcement of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food:

Meeting of the Minister of Agriculture, C. Georgantas with representatives of blockades from Serres

The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. George Georgantas, had a meeting with representatives of the blockades of Promachona and Lefkonas of Serres. The meeting was attended by the Secretary General for Rural Development and Food, Mrs. Christiana Kalogirou and the Secretary General for Agricultural Policy and International Relations, Mr. Kostas Baginetas.

The producers of the Prefecture of Serres raised to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry the problems they face which have intensified due to the energy crisis. The Minister of Rural Development and Food Mr. Georgantas stressed that the commitments of the government are valid and within the next few days, with the EIS to be issued, there will be specific measures, in order to support as many real producers as possible. At the same time, he noted that market controls on localization will continue systematically and will be intensified. After more than two hours of discussion, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. George Georgantas told reporters: «The government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis supports our farmers with actions. Just as it stood by their side to face the consequences of the pandemic and natural disasters, it is now supporting them with concrete measures to face the consequences of the energy crisis. We are talking to them. The doors are always open for our producers.

Journalist: How do you comment on the presence of Mr Tsipras in Larissa?;

If anything, it is ironic that Mr Tsipras appears as the defender of farmers, when all farmers remember from him is the heavy taxation and the lack of any support.».