New Left MPs ask about support measures for the olive harvest
New Left Party MPs, including Xanthi MP Hüseyin Zeybek, have submitted a parliamentary question to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food on support measures for the olive harvest.
The following statements were made in the parliamentary question:
Olive producers in the region starting from the Evros region and extending to the island of Crete faced the problem of inefficiency due to the disease seen in the olive harvest.
The New Democracy government is aware of the problem, but has delegated its solution to the European Union.
On 03/09/2023, Mr Avgenakis said in an interview that "the problem of olive infertility and disease is not only a problem in Greece but also in Italy and Spain as well as in other Mediterranean countries, the only problem is the lack of the necessary legislation and therefore it is not possible to solve the problem through ELGA, adding that they are cooperating with other countries in the South of the EU that face a similar problem, that the best possible solution will be sought through Brussels and that the problem will be raised at the summit that will take place on 18 September in Brussels".
On 16/11/2023, the Prime Minister announced that "all diseases of the olive harvest (edible and oil) will be supported, stating that the issue cannot be resolved with the ELGA but will be raised at the EU Council of Ministers of Agriculture and that Greece is trying to find allies across the EU to support olive producers."
However, on 25/1/2024, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture replied to the question E-003627/2023 "What measures does the European Commission plan to take to compensate producers affected by crop failure and diseases?" submitted by a Greek Member of the European Parliament, stating that direct compensation is out of the question and that they should resort to risk management instruments or sectoral programmes in accordance with European Union regulations and requirements.
- that until today olive producers have not received any support from the state.
- The fact that the climate crisis problem is growing and will continue to have negative impacts on olive producers.
- Drought will continue in the coming years due to climate problems.
The Minister will be asked;
1- What are the concrete results in terms of support for olive growers of the Minister's meetings with his counterparts in the southern countries of the EU, in particular Italy and Spain, which are facing similar problems for the coordination of actions at EU level;
2- Since ELGA needs to be restructured, do you think that climate change as well as diseases affecting agricultural products should be taken into consideration?
3- Has a nationwide damage assessment been carried out and what are the results?
4- On 25/1/2024, the European Union's Agriculture Commissioner announced that it is not possible to pay compensation. What support measures does the government plan to take to compensate olive producers for the loss of income?
Members of Parliament asking questions
ZEYBEK Hüseyin
HARITSIS Alexis
ANAGNOSTOPOULOU Sia
TZOUFI Meropi
FOTIOU Theano
