German Minister Özdemir on frost aid: The EU Commission must end unequal treatment

Published Jul 15, 2024

Tridge summary

The article highlights a dispute over European Union crisis aid for countries affected by spring frost and hail, with a particular focus on Germany, which has been excluded from the initial 62 million euros allocation intended for Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The damage, especially in Germany's agricultural regions, is estimated to reach between 210 to 254 million euros, affecting fruit and wine production. Germany's Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture has criticized the EU Commission's approach, calling it illogical and damaging to trust, and has called for the inclusion of Germany in the aid. The article ends with the expectation that the EU Commission will revise its decision and include Germany in the aid distribution, with the German ministry ready to swiftly issue regulations and collaborate with the federal states for the fair distribution of the funds.

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Original content

This week, the Commission had promised crisis aid from the agricultural reserve amounting to 62 million euros for Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland following frost and hail damage to fruit, vegetable and wine-growing businesses - without including Germany in the aid measure. The BMEL has therefore refused to approve the plan. In eastern and southern Germany in particular, the late frost caused considerable damage to fruit and wine growing. According to current estimates by the affected federal states, the frost damage in Germany amounts to at least 210 to 254 million euros. The Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, explains: "As is well known, a cold weather front does not stop at the border crossing. Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany were affected by the same extreme weather. Some of the German businesses affected operate directly on the border. Brussels' approach simply makes no sense and destroys trust. I expect the EU Commission to quickly ...

Source: Bmel