The Minister of Rural Development met with the Coordinating Committee of Farmers
The door of the ministry is open for dialogue and addressing the problems, emphasized the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras in a meeting he had with the Coordinating Committee of Farmers and representatives of agricultural associations and cooperatives, who handed him their resolution.
“We had the opportunity to have a thorough discussion with the representatives of farmers who organized the rally for all the issues that concern them. The critical issues are twofold: the question of the flow of his payments; OKAY and the issue of dealing with zoonotic smallpox. The views of all the representatives, of all the bodies, were heard on issues that concern all Greek producers,” said Mr. Tsiaras and added: “The government has proven it many times: it is determined to support the honest Greek producer with every possible means, but above all to set in motion all the developments and the framework through which the activities in the primary sector will be supported and continued on the one hand. For this reason, after all, there is a specific package of measures. For this reason, attempts are being made to start a series of payments that will start this month – and will continue next month – from OPEKEPE, in order to provide a general relief to the productive world.”
He emphasized that the period is particularly difficult and challenging for the primary sector, pointing to two dominant problems: OPEKEPE payments and dealing with smallpox.
Mr. Tsiaras said that the delay in payments is linked to the requirements of the European Commission, which in two letters has made it clear that checks must precede each payment, otherwise the flow of European funds to the country is at risk.
He pointed out that the government’s goal is to move OPEKEPE into a new era of transparency and credibility in order to ensure a stable and fair flow of community funds. He pointed out that the government is working to solve the problems of the agricultural world and that ensuring the flow of European resources is a condition for the stability and viability of the sector.
In addition, the Minister of Rural Development and Food presented the plan of payments until the end of the year, underlining that a great effort is being made to meet the schedules.
In particular, he said, by the end of November the advance payment of the basic aid for this year is planned as well as the crediting of the money for Measure 23 which concerns the aid for the increased production costs.
He pointed out that the initial amount of Measure 23 was EUR 142 million, to which EUR 38 million was added from the Public Investment Programme, bringing the total to EUR 178 million.
According to Mr. Tsiara, by the end of 2025 the target is expected to be completed:
- The payments of eight outstanding programs (Rare Breeds, Confucius, Ancient Biologicals and others).
- The payment of the basic aid.
- The ELGA compensations for frost damage, which will be given after the payment of the basic support advance.
- The advance for the reconstitution of the plant capital in Thessaly by “Daniel”, which is also pending.
Regarding smallpox, the minister noted that its treatment must be based on the recommendations of the national scientific committee. He reiterated that no European country has proceeded with vaccination and underlined that those third countries that have done so, have not returned to non-endemic status.
In closing, Mr. Tsiaras pointed out that the ministry’s effort is focused on ensuring the country’s credibility vis-à-vis European institutions, on transparency in the management of aid and on supporting producers through a stable and reliable framework.