Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001201/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Theodoros Zagorakis (S&D)
Hailstorms in the wider area of the Municipality of Nea Propontida in Chalkidiki have caused massive damage/destruction to cereal crops, vines, apricot and olive trees, fruit and vegetables. The hailstorms destroyed most of the cereal crops, which had already been damaged by prolonged drought. Olive production met a similar fate. After two years of successive crop failures with no financial support provided whatsoever, olive trees were in the pre-flowering stage when the hail storm hit, a damage-causing factor that is not included in the insurance cover. Many apricot varieties in Chalkidiki were completely wiped out, while in the viticulture sector more than 70 %-80 % of crops, especially table grape varieties, were lost as a result of the hailstorms.
It should be noted that, for reasons that remain unclear, Chalkidiki does not currently have any aerial or ground-based hail protection system that would help limit the damage to the bare minimum.
In view of this, can the Commission answer the following:
- 1.Can financial support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, among others, be given to crop growers to compensate for their losses, especially to cover losses caused by factors that are not covered by the insurance?
- 2.Can the Greek government decide in this case to provide State aid in line with current State aid rules or on the basis of the de minimis Regulation?
- 3.Does the Greek rural development programme provide for preventive actions and the adoption of risk management measures in such cases?
Submitted:23.4.2024
