EU Mobilizes Agricultural Fund for Natural Disaster Relief in 2024

The representatives of the Member States, gathered in the Special Committee on Agriculture, have approved the European Commission's proposal to mobilize the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to provide support to farmers, foresters, and companies involved in the processing and marketing of agricultural products affected by natural disasters during 2024.

The amendment to the Regulation governing the EAFRD aligns with the RESTORE package, jointly presented by the Commission on October 21 to allow Member States to adjust the Cohesion Policy Programs, reallocating up to 10% of the 2021-2027 European funds (ERDF, CF, and ESF+), in response to the damage caused by climate disasters.

In the case of amendments to the EAFRD regulation, Member States will be able to flexibly use unspent funds under the 2014-2020 Common Agricultural Policy, particularly the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, to support the liquidity of farmers, foresters, and SMEs active in the processing, marketing, or development of agricultural or forestry products af