EU Council approves financial aid for farmers due to rising costs

On Monday, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, meeting in Brussels under the Irish Presidency, formally adopted a regulation to support European farmers. The new measures address the sudden surge in fertilizer and input costs caused by the recent crisis in the Middle East. Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, stated that global supply chain disruptions have placed significant pressure on the agricultural sector. The regulation provides EU member states with tools to offer urgent, targeted financial support to farmers facing liquidity issues. This intervention is intended to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector and ensure food security within the European Union. Support will be delivered through an amendment to the regulation governing strategic plans. The Council emphasized that this swift legislative action reflects the commitment of EU member states to respond to current geopolitical challenges.