The procedure for the definitive granting of farmers who were affected by fires which took place from 23 July to 30 September 2021 in the areas of the Regional Units of Achaia, Ilia, Argolis, Corinthia, Messinia, Arcadia, Laconia, Evia, Phocis, Fthiotida, Northern Sector of Athens, East and West Attica and Rhodes.
In particular, by joint decision of the Ministers of National Economy and Finance, Rural Development and Food and Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (Government Gazette B΄4285), in cooperation with the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organisation (ELGA) and following the recommendation of the Government Committee for State Aid, the grant was designated to cover the damage caused to agricultural holdings, both by professional and non-professional farmers and agricultural companies, in means of plant production, caused by these fires.
The conditions
The necessary conditions are, among other things, to have submitted the Single Aid Application (EAE) to the Integrated Management and Control System (SIGC) for the year 2021 and subsequent years, to have paid the special insurance contribution to ELGA for the year 2021 until August 31, 2024, as well as to be registered with the MAAE or for agricultural owners who demonstrate income from agricultural activity.
Agricultural holdings are required to repair the damage caused to crops by fires by 30 June 2025, by submitting a relevant declaration to ELGA. Once the replacement works are completed, they must submit the respective restoration control request to ELGA by 31 July 2025.
The reinforcements
The price of aid for farmers and legal entities with a main activity is determined according to the severity of the damage. In particular, the maximum limit has been set, in the event of total destruction, (a) for trees at the value of EUR 100.80 per olive tree and EUR 67.2 per tree for other crops, (b) for vineyards at the value of EUR 2,450. euros per hectare, and (c) for perennial aromatic plants at the value of EUR 1,400 per hectare. For owners of agricultural holdings (non-professional farmers), the amounts are set at ½ of the above prices, with the maximum limits being EUR 50.4 per olive tree and EUR 33.6 per tree for other crops, EUR 1,225 per hectare for vineyards and EUR 700 per hectare for perennial aromatic plants.
Any advances granted, as well as the value of any first aid provided, will be deducted from the value of the grant. It should be noted that advances worth EUR 42.5 million have already been granted.
The final subsidy – which will be paid in the next period – is subject to the replacement of the manufacturing capital by mid-2025 and its control by ELGA levels, so the possibility of requesting the subsidy as a subsidy unduly paid amount is foreseen if the restoration has not been carried out. The payment of the aid will be made by ELGA, after its granting by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, after sending the beneficiaries’ declarations by ELGA, on a monthly basis.
O Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protectionin collaboration with the competent ministries and ELGA, continues to implement the framework of state aid to farmers affected by natural disasters, for damage caused to the means of plant production, together with the subsidies paid for damage to other items such as equipment and stored products.