Sp. Libanos: Livestock is a pillar of development for the entire national economy

Livestock is one of the most important sectors of the primary sector and the intention of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development is to support it by any means, as it believes it can play a leading role in the development of the country, said Spilios Libanos at an event on livestock and its support measures. which took place in Astakos, Etoloakarnania. Proof of this strategy is the fact that in the Strategic Plan of our country for the new CAP, 73% of the associated aid is directed to livestock and feed production.

“Only the implementation of a separate event for livestock reflects the great importance we give to this sector. Because Greek breeders are a pillar of development for the entire national economy, since from their own effort are produced fine PDO-PGI products, such as FETA “They are also the flagship of the PDO-PGI. However, they are also a pillar of support for the nation, since they remain in the Greek countryside, in our mountains, guarding Thermopylae. Mr. Lebanon.

Referring to the livestock support policies, Mr. Libanos pointed out that the Ministry of Rural Development and Food invested in the intensification of controls, mobilizing the control mechanisms of the Ministry and ELGO-Dimitra. He reminded that for the first time large fines of € 250,000 and € 160,000 were imposed, while the licenses of companies that did not comply with the rules of feta production were revoked. Due to this policy the producer saw an immediate result. He saw the price increase, from € 0.80 to € 1.30 per kilo of goat’s and sheep’s milk. According to Mr. Libanos, he recently presented to the Council of Ministers, and received the approval of the Prime Minister and the new law on PDO-PGI products will be put to public consultation soon. This, he said, is “a new institutional framework that closes the windows, corrects overlaps of responsibilities, provides severe and effective sanctions to those who violate the rules of production of PDO products.”

Historical issues are resolved

At the same time, he noted, historical issues that had been dragging on for years were resolved. Features mentioned:

– With the law 4859/2021 for the operation of the livestock facilities we now allow the legalization of arbitrary buildings, facilitating our breeders in their integration in PAA programs.

– We reduced the fine for maintaining arbitrary buildings from 20% to 5%, giving breath to thousands of our breeders.

– We reduced the bureaucracy not by demanding architectural plans but a simple sketch of an engineer for the makeshift accommodation.

– We set deadlines for the forest services.

– At the same time, however, we have supported and continue to support the livestock sector in the twin crises we are experiencing, that of the pandemic and energy.

– We disbursed almost 45 million euros through de minimis and covid aid for our sheep and goat farmers and pig farmers.

– Almost € 33 million were disbursed through repayable advances to the various livestock sectors.

– In total, that is, through the tools for the pandemic, we strengthened Greek livestock with almost € 70 million.

Measures for the crisis

The Ministry of Rural Development and Food, however, was not satisfied with them. As Mr. Libanos said, “we also support our farmers with measures for the rapid increase of energy and feed prices”. Indicatively he mentioned:

– We have legislated the reduction of VAT on animal feed to 6% from 13%,

– We covered 80% of the adjustment clause in the agricultural tariffs from August to December.

– We subsidize the agricultural tariffs for January by 50% of the increased costs.

– We have suspended the payment of Utility Charges for medium-sized agricultural enterprises.

– This year, for the first time since 2016, we are implementing the return of the excise tax on oil, for the cooperative producers and the young farmers and stockbreeders, fulfilling our emblematic pre-election commitment.

– The interest of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure for the support of Greek livestock is also shown by the fact that in our strategic plan for the new CAP, submitted by Greece, one of the first countries in the EU, 73% of the related aid is directed to livestock and production feed.

– Expressing his vision for Livestock, Mr. Libanos said that he believes in a strong livestock, with young people throughout Greece, who will remain on their land, producing wealth and fine products.

In this sense, he noted, a working group was set up at the Ministry to draft the National Strategy for Livestock, so that through dialogue with all stakeholders to find a solution to the major problems of the sector.

Acknowledging the great burden borne by Greek farmers due to the increase in feed, energy and fertilizers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Assurance assured them that the state will exhaust all available margins for aid, taking into account the budgetary data.

Financial tools for breeders

Referring to the financial tools available to the Ministry of Agriculture for livestock breeders in order to raise funds for investments, Mr. Libanos pointed out:

– Yesterday came the invitation of organic livestock and agriculture, amounting to € 490 million.

– In addition, the Improvement Plans, amounting to 180 million euros, will run in the coming months.

– At the same time, we have established the Guarantee Fund through the PAA, where Greek farmers can raise loans.

– In addition, we are establishing a Microcredit Fund, amounting to 21.5 million euros, together with the Development Bank, from which farmers will be able to receive loans of up to 25,000 euros with very low interest rates.

In addition, we extended until 31.12.2022, the possibility of receiving loans up to € 25,000, without the obligation to provide insurance information.

– Also, through the Recovery Fund, and the actions we have included for the transformation of the agri-food sector, additional resources can be raised, through programs for genetic improvement and improvement plans.

Referring to the RDP, Mr. Libanos stressed that as a country we have achieved a record of absorptions in the co-financed programs of the Ministry of Regional Development. In the Rural Development Program in 2021 we achieved a record amount in payments with a total disbursement of 740 million euros, reaching 117% in new projects, while in the Operational Fisheries and Maritime Program we achieved an absorption of 96.60%, with 55.2 million disbursements.

The planning for 2022

For the planning of 2022, he said that the implementation of innovative development and investment programs of the RDP with a social and environmental sign will continue. We have planned in more detail:

– 490 million for organic farming and animal husbandry,
– 180 million for Improvement Plans,
– 150 million for soil denitrification,
– EUR 90 million for the afforestation of agricultural land,
– EUR 80 million for Agricultural Advisers,
– 45 million for Animal Welfare,
– € 41 million to Enhance Quality in Production,
– 460 million for Compensation,
– 417 million in other programs.

In addition, he said that the implementation of the “Water 2.0” program will continue at an intensive pace and at the same time a new legal framework will be created for the operation and consolidation of TOEB-GOEB, while ELGO-DIMITRA will be institutionally shielded with a new legal framework.