The European Commission relaxes access to aid for drought-affected wine growers and fruit and vegetable producer organisations

These regulations relax some of the demands and requirements of the EU rules for the receipt of aid and the use of vineyard authorisations.

Spain called on the European Commission (EC) to relax the rules last April, after it became clear that it was impossible for vine growers and fruit and vegetable producer organisations (FVPOs) to comply with some of the requirements due to the drought situation.

In the case of FVPOs, the regulations allow them to use third-party production to meet their supply commitments in a volume greater than their own production. This possibility is very important because it will prevent organisations from losing clients due to a drop in their members' production as a result of drought or other climatic adversities.

The regulations also remove restrictions on the use of funds for crisis prevention and management measures, and increase the level of Community funding from the normal 50% to 60%.

Viticulture

As regards the wine sector, for the vineyard restructuring and conversion measure, the EC is responding to Spain's request to relax the requirements for the transition between the Support Programme for the Wine Sector (PASVE) and the Intervention in the Wine Sector in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plan, which came into force this year. This will prevent winegrowers who have not been able to replant this spring from losing their right to do so, as they will have until next year to do so.

In addition, the validity of vineyard planting authorisations that have expired or expire in 2023 will be extended for a further 12 months so that they can be used during the following campaign. Holders who do not wish to benefit from this extension may renounce their authorisations without penalty.

Spain has participated very actively in the drafting of these regulations, after the EC responded with the utmost sensitivity to requests to deal with the extremely harsh drought and the effects of other climatic adversities.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is working on the national regulatory development of the texts that will enable the application of the relaxed rules in Spain, which are expected to be processed and published in early autumn.

Non official translation