Commission adopts measure to increase cash flow of farmers

Today, the European Commission adopted a measure allowing farmers to receive higher advances of common agricultural policy (CAP) payments. This measure will support and increase the cash flow of farmers affected by the Covid-19 crisis and by the impact of adverse weather conditions across the EU. Some regions have been deeply affected by floods for instance.

The measure will allow Member States to pay income support and certain rural development schemes to farmers with a higher level of advances: up to 70% (from 50%) of direct payments and 85% (from 75%) of rural development payments. The safeguards to protect the EU budget apply, so the payments can be disbursed, once controls and checks have been finalised and as from 16 October 2021.

Background

The European Commission has provided support to the agri-food sector throughout the Covid-19 crisis through increased flexibility and specific market measures. More recently, the package of support measures for the wine sector was extended until mid-October 2021.

This summer, the EU is seeing adverse weather conditions from floods to heat waves. Farmers are among the most affected by these extreme weather events. This is why the Commission is taking action to increase their cash flow through the measure adopted today.

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