Damages caused by fires to machinery, livestock, and crops are covered by exceptional support for farmers, with funding up to 10,000 euros, as announced in a decree published today in the Diário da República.
“Eligible damages include those related to animals, annual crops, perennial plantations, machines, equipment, and spaces supporting agricultural activity,” states the decree-law.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced on Thursday, during a press conference in Viseu where the extraordinary Council of Ministers took place, a “new legislative instrument” to be adopted in circumstances similar to those the country has experienced in recent weeks.
Among the 45 approved measures is financial support for the “enhancement of agricultural productive potential and exceptional support for farmers to compensate for damages, even through undocumented expenses,” up to a maximum of 10,000 euros.
This support includes damages, even those undocumented, through a joint inspection by municipalities and the CCDR—Commission for Coordination and Regional Development.
The help, of an exceptional nature, is paid in a single installment.
According to the same decree, extraordinary support will also be granted for the purchase of animal feed to livestock farmers affected by the fires, who own cattle, sheep, and goat farms.
Although no further details were provided, the government also announced extraordinary support for beekeepers whose apiaries were affected by the fires, to ensure the purchase of food for the bee colonies.
The Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, will also open calls for support to restore agricultural productive potential, including the replacement of animals, plantations, purchase of machines and equipment, warehouses, or other agricultural support constructions.
