The European Commission will decide on Wednesday which Brexit measures to roll-out in support for farmers, on the day EU heads of government are set to determine whether the UK can leave with or without a deal.

"I anticipate a mix of measures designed to suit particular circumstances and products – a mix of some or all of public intervention, private storage aid, withdrawal schemes and targeted aid will form a package of supports," European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan told a press conference this Monday. "We have an appropriately stocked toolbox from which we will work."

If no agreement is found this week, the UK will crash out of the EU on Friday at 11pm.

Market disturbance

Commissioner Hogan confirmed that all options would be legally available under EU rules in case of a hard Brexit. "We are confident that we have such a reliable legal basis," he said, referring to the Commission's experience in using support measures to address significant market disturbance. "Unfortunately this is the case," he added, with those countries most exposed to trade with the UK bearing the brunt of the shock.

While the UK recently published the schedule of tariffs it would apply to EU imports, the commissioner said there is still no detail on how these would be levied in practice. He added that logistical difficulties and delays affecting perishable products might occur even where no tariffs apply, because of new requirements such as sanitary and phytosanitary checks.

The European Commission has a legal obligation to intervene

"There will be significant disruption to certain agricultural markets," Commissioner Hogan said. "The European Commission has a legal obligation to intervene and we will."

Each country will also receive extra flexibility to help its agri-food sector, he added, as the Commission is still looking at state aid rules after increasing the maximum assistance national governments can give to individual farmers to €25,000 in February.

"Despite the madness of Brexit I still believe that common sense might prevail," Commissioner Hogan said, predicting another possible late night at the special Council of EU leaders on Wednesday.

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