Lawmaker raises delay in farm resilience funding over natural disasters
Independent MP for İskeçe Hüseyin Zeybek has submitted a parliamentary question over delays in launching a government support scheme designed to strengthen agricultural holdings against natural disasters, arguing that the postponement leaves producers increasingly vulnerable as extreme weather events become more frequent across Greece.
Addressing the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Zeybek said the growing impact of the climate crisis has resulted in severe hailstorms and storm-force winds causing extensive damage to thousands of hectares of farmland in recent years. He stressed that investments aimed at protecting agricultural production from future disasters can no longer be postponed.
In his parliamentary intervention, Zeybek noted that farmers are seeking not only compensation for losses already incurred but also the swift implementation of long-term preventive measures to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
He highlighted the importance of the P3-73-2.5 intervention under Greece's 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan, which is backed by €36.5 million in European Union funding. The programme is intended to provide financial support for investments that protect agricultural holdings against natural disasters, adverse climatic conditions and pests.
Zeybek recalled that during the 7th Monitoring Committee meeting held in Arachova on May 26, 2026, the Ministry announced that a draft Joint Ministerial Decision governing the programme had been prepared and circulated to relevant institutions for consultation. However, he noted that by the end of July no announcement had been made regarding the signing of the decision, nor had an official call for applications been published.
According to Zeybek, the delay has created legitimate concern among agricultural producers at a time when climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events affecting the farming sector.
He argued that the timely implementation of the programme is essential both for the effective use of European Union funds and for improving the resilience of agricultural production.
In his questions to the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Zeybek requested clarification on whether the Joint Ministerial Decision establishing the implementation framework for the P3-73-2.5 intervention has been signed. If not, he asked the ministry to explain the reasons for the delay and to specify when the application process will officially begin.
