During Thursday's press conference, the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture presented the decisions already made regarding support for farmers affected by the flood and plans for further assistance that will be provided in the coming weeks.
First of all, Minister Czesław Siekierski assured that it is not as it is conveyed in the public space, that the Ministry of Agriculture is doing nothing and has no plans to help farmers.
He assured that since the early morning hours of September 15 this year, the ministry's top management has been personally monitoring the situation regarding damage in rural areas in the flooded areas. In the privacy of offices (both the ministry and agricultural institutions), decisions and legal acts necessary to provide assistance are being developed.
The result of this work is, for example, the guideline to transfer fodder from KOWR companies not affected by the flood to those farms where this type of damage occurred.
– All types of inspections on these farms have been suspended – recalled Minister Siekierski, but added that with the exception of those concerning food safety.
He added that as far as advances on direct payments are concerned, they will be increased and their payment is to be accelerated. Payments from the second pillar of the CAP will also be accelerated.
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Farmers affected by floods retain their rights to payments
Much will become clear and "expanded" after the visit of the President of the European Commission
Minister Siekierski noted at the conference that many issues – regarding aid for farmers – will probably "become clearer and broader" after the visit to Poland of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. This concerns funds from the European Commission's agricultural reserve, which the head of the Ministry of Agriculture intends to apply for personally next Monday at the forum of the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers.
Siekierski assured that he would seek relief from the agricultural tax payable by farmers affected by the flood at the Ministry of Finance.
As for KRUS contributions, they can be postponed or paid in instalments, just like other liabilities to the Fund can be paid in instalments, he added.
A similar solution, plus even amortization, can also be applied for in the KOWR leasing state land. The Minister informed that the Contribution Fund can also provide assistance for, for example, trips organized by schools from flooded areas, but also for the Volunteer Fire Department affected by flood losses (to replace damaged equipment or repair destroyed buildings).
– An example of aid already being implemented for farmers affected by flooding is also the action of the KRIR. Within their network, Agricultural Chambers are already organizing aid for farms affected by losses – noted Czesław Siekierski.
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Veterinary and sanitary inspections will control what animals are fed
The Minister reminded at the conference that fodder (both bulk and concentrated) contaminated with flood waters, or grain from warehouses, is not suitable for any consumption. In this case, it is necessary to dispose of this product. A similar approach will be applied to other products from areas flooded with flood water. Here, veterinary medicine and the sanitary inspection will monitor what animals are fed – noted Czesław Siekierski, and added that a completely different approach will be applied to products (fields) flooded only with rainwater.
Deputy Minister Adam Nowak emphasized at the conference that the current priority of all flood-related activities is to ensure the safety of people's lives and health. Only in the next steps will the rapid restoration of the production potential of the area, which has been affected by the state of natural disaster, be achieved. That is why, among others, Minister Siekierski asked the voivodes to initiate the commencement of work of the commissions estimating the losses.
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Siekierski: Committees to estimate damage to farms should be established as soon as possible
He added that in order to help farmers from flood-affected areas, the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing new solutions within the framework of national funds. For this purpose, unused funds from the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will be used – as part of the action restoring the potential of farms affected by natural disasters.
Actions are also being taken to support local governments – as part of the reconstruction of local infrastructure – water and sewage investments, including the reconstruction (or construction) of retention reservoirs. There are also to be facilitations, in terms of KPO, in the case of investments in areas affected by a state of natural disaster.
Bogusław Wijatyk, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, who was also present at the press conference, informed that in order to prevent fraud between the offer of aid and the injured party, i.e. to ensure that the aid actually reaches the people affected by the flood, a special verification system will be implemented to prevent situations related to the lack of honesty in such relations.
If someone wants to help farmers, they should contact ODR in Wrocław first. Then we will have a guarantee that the help will reach those who really need it – emphasized director Wijatyk.
– Agro-chemical stations will perform free soil tests of farmers affected by the flood – added Deputy Minister Michał Kołodziejczak during the conference, thanking all farmers in Poland who are involved in organizing help for their affected colleagues from southern Poland.
Help for farmers already in October
The Minister of Agriculture, when asked at the conference when exactly farmers will be able to count on aid, said:
– In reality, already in the second half of October, farmers affected by the flood will receive the aid specifically intended for them. Earlier, they can apply for emergency aid, intended for all affected by the government.
In response to the question of whether specific data on losses in agriculture is already known, he added that this is unfortunately still being estimated. The ministry is waiting for the water to subside. For example, losses in sugar beets or potatoes are not known at this time, how much rapeseed has been lost and how much more may be lost – the flood wave is still moving down Poland.
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