Are the EU’s instruments and mechanisms for agriculture fit for purpose in the face of protracted droughts?
2.10.2024
Question for written answer E-001912/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE), Daniel Buda (PPE)
High temperatures continue to devastate the EU. Destructive fires, heatwaves and severe droughts – worsened by reduced rainfall – are creating unprecedented challenges for agriculture.
In Romania, 2.5 million hectares – specifically, 40 % of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower crops – were compromised by drought in 2024[1]. The July drought report from the Joint Research Centre shows that Sicily lost 25 % of its agricultural production, with EUR 2.7 billion in drought damage[2], while parts of Spain imposed water restrictions of up to 80 % for crop irrigation and 50 % for livestock[3]. Greece faces devastating fires again, having lost 120 000 hectares[4] and up to 80 % of livestock in 2023[5]. Poland is also experiencing drought and in 2023, 290 000 farmers were affected[6].
Such dramatic examples illustrate the new reality of agriculture. Eurostat indicates that Romania, Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland are among the top 10 Member States that produce 85 % of basic EU foodstuffs. Faced with consecutive dry years, the future of food security looks worrying.
- 1.What information does the Commission have on the EU agricultural and economic impact of the decline in agricultural production and agri-food exports?
- 2.What long-term measures will be implemented to help farmers, the agricultural sector, rural areas and trade to face these challenges?
- 3.How will the Commission guarantee food security?
Submitted: 2.10.2024
- [1] https://www.zf.ro/companii/seceta-a-produs-pagube-de-1-5-1-8-miliarde-de-euro-ministrul-22466064.
- [2] Joint Research Centre, JRC MARS Bulletin Vol. 32 No 7, ‘Crop monitoring in Europe – July 2024’, 22 July 2024.
- [3] https://www.awe.international/article/1860170/catalonia-takes-measures-tackle-the-worst-drought-record.
- [4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/25/all-my-fortune-was-there-fires-devastate-greek-livelihoods-and-wildlife.
- [5] https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2023/08/17/greece-s-volos-region-struggles-to-rebuild-after-devastating-fires_6095837_114.html.
- [6] https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/06/02/poland-fewer-carrots-due-to-drought.