BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) – The European Union decided July 25 to let drought-stricken member states give advance subsidy payments to struggling ranchers faced with suffering livestock and scorched pastures caused by soaring temperatures.
Member states will be able to give 80 percent of EU beef payments at the start of the new budget year from Oct. 16 rather than the standard 60 percent handout.
Four countries – Germany, France, Austria and Italy – asked for help at a meeting of EU farm ministers earlier last week but the Commission said no extra funds were available.
Cattle farmers are the main sector affected by the heat in eastern Germany, mountainous areas of Austria and the south of France while cereal farmers in northern Italy are facing severe losses.
