€2.19 billion for drought

IN an effort to alleviate the current drought conditions currently affecting around 80 per cent of Spanish territory, the Council of Ministers on Thursday, May 11, approved a package of measures worth £2.19 billion.

The objective is to alleviate the situation in Spain by focusing on two key areas: direct support to the primary sector and the promotion of hydraulic works.

Teresa Ribera and Luis Planas, the ministers of Eco­ logical Transition, and of Agriculture, respectively, presented this latest package, accompanied by Isabel Rodríguez, the Government Spokesperson.

They detailed the actions to be carried out in each field, highlighting the fact that this is unprecedented. In the case of the works, the ministers said they hoped to accelerate the plans in order to improve access to water.

With regard to the primary sector, direct aid worth €636 million has been approved. From this total, €355 million will be allocated for livestock, with €276.7 million going to agriculture, and €5 million to beekeeping.

Another €53 million will also be returned for the 2023 IBI, a measure that will benefit around 200,000 farms, as reported by a news source.

Aid for contracting agricultural insurance against drought has also increased. A total of €40.48 million will be contributed to this objective.