A €500m aid package to support EU farmers most affected by the impact of the war in Ukraine was confirmed by the European Commission on Wednesday.

The fund will be prioritised for “farmers engaged in sustainable practices” while also ensuring that the measures target farmers hit hardest by the crisis.

The Commission has also confirmed a Temporary Crisis Framework for farmers and fertiliser producers. This means that member states can provide up to €35,000 in state aid to farmers.

These payments are separate from all other payments, including CAP, and would be designed specifically to mitigate rising farm inputs and maintain food production.

Fertiliser prices and supplies will also be closely monitored to ensure that the prospects for the EU’s harvest in 2022 are not jeopardised.

Brussels also confirmed a temporary derogation to allow crop production on fallow land, while maintaining the full level of the greening payments for farmers.

The Commission also plans to allow for increased levels of advances of direct payments from 16 October.

Steadfast

However, the Commission remains steadfast on its flagship policies, Farm to Fork and the Green Deal, despite concerns over their environmental measures and the impact on food production capacity.

The Commission said the strategies will “ensure that the overall productivity of EU agriculture is not undermined”.

IFA president Tim Cullinan revealed that the €12m in tillage supports is coming from the EU’s €500m crisis reserve fund.

“That’s farmers own money, pruned from CAP payments,” he said, highlighting that the Government could add up to 200% national aid – a further €24m – if the will exists.