EU Aid Package July 19, 2016 12:00 am The European Commission has announced a further package of measures, worth €500, million to support EU farmers, with particular emphasis on the dairy sector. The precises details of the measures are not yet known, they will be finalised over the coming weeks, but will include: An EU-wide scheme worth €150 million to support the voluntary reduction in milk production. Conditional adjustment aid, which can be defined and implemented at Member State level from a menu proposed by the Commission i.e. extensive production methods, support for small farmers, cooperation projects, further production reduction support measures. It will also be possible to cover other livestock sectors. The aid is worth €350 million, of which the UK will receive just over €30 million, there is the possibility for government to match fund this, but this is unlikely. A range of technical measures to provide flexibility and help cash flow, including an advance of up to 70% of BPS payments from October 16th and up to 85% of Rural Development area-based payments (i.e agri-environmental schemes). In addition, the period for public intervention and for private storage aid fro SMP will be extended beyond the end of September. It remains to be seen if any of the UK regions makes any advance payments, certainly in England and Scotland they have struggled to get 2015 payments made. We will report on further updates on the details as they become available.
