France Unveils €1 Billion Relief Package for Farmers Hit by Extreme Weather
France announces over €1 billion in aid for farmers after record heatwaves and drought caused major damage to crops and livestock.
France has announced a financial support package exceeding €1 billion ($1.16 billion) to assist farmers grappling with the aftermath of record heatwaves and severe drought. The extreme weather has inflicted significant damage on crops, pastures, and water supplies across the nation.
The announcement comes at a delicate time for the government, which is currently drafting next year's budget. Paris is under pressure to manage the deficit carefully in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election.
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard highlighted the scale of the commitment, noting that the sum represents a substantial effort given the current fiscal constraints. Approximately half of the package, around €520 million, is earmarked for expedited payments to address immediate weather-related losses.
The broader plan includes the creation of a local recovery fund to assist farms in purchasing essential inputs like seeds, plants, and animal feed, which are crucial after the drought left farmland parched. Additional measures encompass land-tax relief, support for social-security contributions, and fuel subsidies.
The country's primary farmers' union, the FNSEA, estimates that agricultural production losses this summer could surpass €10 billion, with over €5 billion in damages already projected for both the livestock and crop sectors. The situation may worsen, as another heatwave is forecast for this week in the European Union's largest agricultural producer.