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Climate change

Inequitable Distribution of EU Funds for Farmers Strains EU-Romania Relations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Greece, which has been approved by the European Commission, has come under scrutiny for its transparency and fairness in distributing funds to farmers affected by natural disasters. Measure 23, which provides for exceptional temporary liquidity support, has been marred by complaints of clientelism and arbitrary exclusions. The implementation of this measure has been criticized for not supporting certain crops like olives and currants, which have been affected by climate change, and Regional Units with eligible crops. This has led to concerns that the EU's support measures are not being applied equally and fairly across all Member States.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Greece has come under scrutiny for its transparency and fairness in distributing funds to farmers affected by natural disasters.
  • Measure 23, which provides for exceptional temporary liquidity support, has been marred by complaints of clientelism and arbitrary exclusions.
  • The implementation of Measure 23 has been criticized for not supporting certain crops like olives and currants, which have been affected by climate change, and Regional Units with eligible crops.
  • This has led to concerns that the EU's support measures are not being applied equally and fairly across all Member States, with Cyprus being cited as an example of a country that has included olives in the measure.
  • The complaints indicate that the distribution of the available EUR 178 million has been marked by a lack of transparency, with almost EUR 150 million coming from European funds.
  • The peanut producers of Fthiotida are among those who have been arbitrarily excluded from support under Measure 23.
  • The European Commission has been asked whether it is possible to amend Measure 23 to correct possible deficiencies and injustices.

Statistics:

  • EUR 178 million available for Measure 23 to support farmers affected by natural disasters.
  • Almost EUR 150 million of this amount comes from European funds.
  • Measure 23 has been implemented since 1 January 2024.
  • The peanut producers of Fthiotida are among those who have been arbitrarily excluded from support under Measure 23.

Sources:

  • European Parliament Question for written answer E-003252/2025 to the Commission
  • European Commission's Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Greece

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