Parliamentary question - P-6602/2009Parliamentary question
P-6602/2009

Support for irrigation

WRITTEN QUESTION P-6602/09
by Daciana Octavia Sârbu (S&D)
to the Commission

Romania is one of the EU Member States which is acutely feeling the effects of climate change. Each year, prolonged droughts in the summer are having an adverse effect on crops, which is having a direct impact on agricultural productivity.

In 2008, Romania allocated EUR 620 million in state aid for irrigation and until the end of 2009 was able to continue providing, in accordance with the ‘sans cesse’ principle, state aid for irrigation systems which existed up to the date of accession.

In September this year, the Commission rejected Romania's request to extend state aid for irrigation to 2010.

The government has also provided for a measure to allow the supply of cheap energy for irrigation, but the Commission has imposed restrictions on this type of support too, on the grounds that it could be considered state aid.

Given that in order for Romania to be able to withstand the competition on the food market significant funding is needed for irrigation, especially against a background in which this country is having to deal with extreme events caused by climate change:

OJ C 10 E, 14/01/2011