Angelos Nikolaou
The payment of financial aid amounting to € 3.4 million to 1,220 beneficiaries was approved by the Council of Ministers at its last meeting for 2021. It concerns the payment of aid through the Revised National Framework as well as De minimis aid through Regulation 1408 / 2013, for damage caused by adverse weather conditions and other causes to agricultural crops during the growing season 2020 – 2021.
During this growing season, severe weather damage was caused to citrus, winter potatoes and legumes, with the result that a number of farmers were affected and it was considered appropriate to pay aid. The reported losses can be covered through the Revised National Framework. For some citrus crops (pomelo, bergamot, kumquat, lime and citrus) that could not be obtained directly from the Statistical Office, compensation will be paid in the form of de minimis aid.
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The payment of compensations will be covered by the Fund for the Protection and Insurance of Agricultural Production. Specifically, for citrus fruits, winter potatoes and legumes, 1,050 beneficiaries will be compensated with an amount of € 3,320,000. 170 beneficiaries will be granted minor aid for damage to citrus fruits (pomelo, bergamot, kumquat, lime) and citrus) in the amount of € 80,000.
Compensation to be paid as de minimis aid will be based on Regulation (EU) no. 1408/2013. It is noted that according to the written statement issued pursuant to Regulation 3 (2) of the State Aid Control (Minor Aid) Regulations of 2009 and 2012, beneficiaries may be paid aid of up to € 20,000 at an individual level, at any time. three years.
At the same time, the victims will be informed that, during the payment of the state aid, a set-off will be made with any debts to the State as provided in the Law on Accounting and Financial Management and Financial Control of the Republic of 2014 (Law 38 (I) 2014) or any other announcement of the General Accountant of the Republic will be valid at the payment of the aid.
