April 4, 2022

European Commission steps up to ensure food security and support EU farmers

The European Commission has presented a series of short- and medium-term actions aimed at strengthening global food security and supporting EU farmers and consumers in the face of rising food prices and input costs such as energy and fertilisers.

Rising global commodity prices, further accelerated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, once more underline the need for more resilient and sustainable EU agricultural and food supply chains, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy, the commission said.

Currently, food availability is not at stake in the European Union, as the bloc is largely self-sufficient in many agricultural products. However, the European agricultural sector is a net importer of specific products. This vulnerability, combined with high input costs such as fertilisers and fossil fuels, poses production challenges for farmers and risks increasing food prices.

Support measures, amounting to €500 million (US$552.4 million), have been availed to directly assist farmers most affected by rising input costs and the closure of export markets.

EU member states may supplement this support by up to 200% with national funds.

To address cash flow difficulties currently faced by farmers, EU countries will be able to pay higher levels of CAP direct payments in advance.

Measures will also be introduced to support the pork market in light of the particularly difficult situation facing the sector.

A temporary derogation is granted to allow crop production on fallow land, while maintaining full greening payments for farmers.

- European Commission