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Ministerial Council Approves Up To €1.515 Million In Grants For Weather-Affected Farmers

The Ministerial Council has sanctioned grants totaling up to €1.515 million for farmers impacted by adverse weather conditions during the 2024/2025 growing season. This decision, taken on September 17 following a proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, represents a significant step toward supporting the agricultural sector in challenging times.

Targeted Support For Key Crops

The approved support covers a range of crops including olives, avocados, bananas, artichokes, winter potatoes, citrus fruits, and peppers. In addition, a separate allocation will provide exceptional support to potato growers affected by the CORAL weather phenomenon. This targeted funding underscores the government’s commitment to both immediate relief and the long-term viability of the primary sector.

Accelerated Payment Schedule

Unlike previous years, when payments were made in December, the new disbursement schedule is set to roll out in phases starting within the next few days and will be fully completed by the end of October 2025. This acceleration is aimed at offering timely relief to those impacted by the extreme weather conditions.

Funding Mechanisms And Future Considerations

The financial support will be distributed through the National Funding Framework for losses from adverse climatic phenomena and, where applicable, under Regulation (EU) 1408/2013 for de minimis support. The Ministry stated, “The objective is to provide tangible support to farmers, thereby contributing to the stabilization and sustainability of the primary sector.”

With this approval, the current cycle of payments for the specified crops and losses is now complete. Any further damages incurred during the year will be evaluated independently through risk management initiatives executed by the Agricultural Production Insurance Fund.

Further Information For Stakeholders

The Ministry invites stakeholders to seek additional information by contacting the Risk Management Department of the Agriculture Sector at 22408540 or by visiting the local Regional Agricultural Offices.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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