EU supports Valencian agricultural sector with aid for fruit, vegetables and wine

The European Commission is stepping up to support fruit and vegetable and wine producers in Valencia hit hard by last autumn’s unprecedented weather conditions, introducing new flexibilities and cutting red tape to help them recover.

The exceptional weather conditions caused damage to crops and production facilities. As a result, some activities for 2025 will no longer be implemented as planned, and the corresponding operational funds will remain unused. Some producers are also modifying their programmes to include crisis management measures to mitigate the impact.

In view of the situation, the European Commission has taken steps to reduce the administrative burden and provide flexibility by proposing two specific derogations: one under the Strategic Plans Regulation and one under the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation applicable to the fruit and vegetables and wine sectors. For example, the deadline for aid applications under the CMO has been extended to give applicants more time, and the EU co-financing rate under the Regulation has been increased to 70%. These temporary measures will allow the producer organisations and wine producers concerned to adjust their operations without being penalised by circumstances beyond their control.

The legislative procedure for both derogations was recently launched and adopted on 26 May, and both acts will enter into force the day after their publication.

The response underlines the EU’s ability to act swiftly in the face of weather-related agricultural emergencies and follows a similar emergency response to weather events in several Member States in February.

More information: European Commission.