Cotton farmers face 2026 uncertainty as carbon incentive delay reaches parliament
Independent MP Hüseyin Zeybek has raised concerns in the Greek Parliament over delays to a carbon-footprint reduction scheme that could provide cotton farmers with €31.7 per stremma in support.
Independent MP for İskeçe (Xanthi) Hüseyin Zeybek has brought delays in the implementation of a carbon-footprint reduction programme for field crops before the Greek Parliament, warning that the lack of an implementation call could put farmers’ 2026 support at risk.
The programme, known as P3-70-5.1 “Reducing the carbon footprint of field crops,” was previously announced by Greece’s Ministry of Rural Development and Food. It covers crops including cotton, processing tomatoes and quinoa, with the stated objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production.
Implementation call has yet to be published
Zeybek submitted a parliamentary question concerning the delay, arguing that although preliminary announcements have been made, the formal call required for the programme’s implementation has not yet been issued.
According to the MP, the delay is creating uncertainty for thousands of farmers who need to make decisions about their production and agricultural support plans for 2026.
The issue is particularly relevant to cotton producers, who are expected to receive support of €31.7 per stremma if they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and implement specified agricultural practices aimed at reducing their carbon footprint.
Farmers face uncertainty over 2026 planning
Zeybek said the timing of the delay is particularly significant because farmers are making decisions concerning their 2026 Single Application for Aid and eco-schemes.
He argued that producers are being forced to plan their production and support applications without knowing clearly how their agricultural practices will correspond with the requirements of the P3-70-5.1 intervention.
The programme’s preliminary announcement reportedly sets a 20% reduction in carbon footprint compared with a reference year as one of its key objectives.
Zeybek has therefore asked the ministry to clarify what would happen if implementation is postponed until 2027.
In particular, he is seeking clarification on which year would be used as the reference year for calculating the required 20% reduction and how expenses or agricultural practices undertaken by farmers during 2026 would be treated.
İskeçe cotton producers among those affected
The MP also highlighted the situation of cotton farmers in the İskeçe (Xanthi) area, arguing that the possible loss of 2026 support could add further pressure to producers already facing rising production costs and pressure on agricultural commodity prices.
Zeybek called on the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to explain why the implementation call for the P3-70-5.1 intervention has not yet been published.
He also asked the ministry to clarify whether 2026 will remain the programme’s first year of implementation and eligibility.
If implementation is postponed to 2027, Zeybek wants the government to specify how the reference year will be determined, how the 20% carbon-footprint reduction will be calculated, and what arrangements will apply to farmers who have already incurred expenses or adopted agricultural practices based on the programme’s existing timetable.
