PASOK-KINAL package for the risk of food crisis and for a productive primary sector

A wide range of measures against the risk of food crisis and for a productive primary sector, submits in the public debate the PASOK-Movement for Change.

The relevant text starts from his criticism against the government, which, as he claims, “became a commentator on everyday life, leaving the primary sector unprotected and creating risks for the country’s food security”.

It also calls on the government to “stop mocking farmers and stockbreeders, as since the summer of 2021, when the energy crisis broke out, none of these measures – which have been announced three times – have reached farmers, stockbreeders, poultry farmers, beekeepers.” “and fishermen while the sharp rise in production costs as well as the dramatic rise in prices for fuel, electricity, fertilizers and feed have led the primary sector and farmers to a dead end.”

Given this, PASOK – Movement for Change proposes “the immediate implementation of the following measures NOW for:

* to keep the primary sector productive

* and avoid reducing food production and the food crisis.

1. Reduction of production costs:

Energy costs:

* Fuel: Abolition and refund of diesel and gas for all producers based on IACS amounting to at least 167 million euros by the end of April 2022. (The 50 million announced by the government with payment in 2023 does not face issue)

* Electricity: Coverage of 80% of the revaluation clause in the electricity tariffs for agricultural use for the period May-December 2021, imposition of a ceiling on the revaluation clause and coverage of 80% of the revaluation clause for the whole of 2022, amounting to at least 140 million. Payment of 50% by the end of April 2022 and the remaining 50% in September 2022. (The 60 million euros announced by the government with payment in 2023 do not address the issue)

Supply costs:

* Fertilizers: Subsidy of the cost of fertilizers by the part due to the increase of the cost of energy and raw materials, amounting to 70 million euros with payment by the end of May 2022. (The reduction of VAT from 13% to 6% that has not been announced covers not at all the huge increase).

* Feed: Subsidizing the cost of feed for 2021 and 2022 due to the excessive increase in the price of raw materials, amounting to 80 million euros based on the number of animals, payment by April 15. (The reduction of VAT from 13 to 6% that has been announced and the increase of 2% on sales in 2021 does not cover farmers).

Transportation costs to the islands:

* Transport Equivalent: For the transport of animal feed in Crete for the year 2022 and the increase of the program of the small Aegean islands of 15 million euros with payment until April 15.

2. Financial liquidity

* Granting of agricultural loans and settlement of farmers’ debts due to the pandemic and the extensive damage caused by weather phenomena.

* Payment of aid that is delayed by OPEKEPE

* Payment of compensations that are delayed by ELGA so that farmers can now be supplied with supplies to cultivate

3. Amendment of the National Strategic Plan 2021-27

* Support with associated aid the production of cereals and feed now.

* Direction of aid to productive crops and investments

4. Increase funding from the Fund for Recovery and Sustainability of RES projects to farmers and organizations for a permanent solution

* Strengthening the network for the direct interconnection of existing RES projects of farmers and their organizations

* Financing the installation of RES on agricultural holdings.

* Financing the establishment of energy communities of farmers and investments in RES (GOEB, TOEB, Cooperatives, Producer Groups) and activation of net metering

“Financing the installation of RES in the units of processing and processing of agricultural products”, concludes the package of PASOK – Movement for Change.