Spain modifies the national standard for aid to OPFH

The Government approves the amendment of the national standard for EU aid in the fruit and vegetable sector, with the aim of providing it with greater efficiency in the execution of European Union funds.

The Council of Ministers has approved, at the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the amendment of Royal Decree 1179/2018, which regulates the funds and operational programs of the organizations of producers of the fruit and vegetable sector, with the aim to provide greater efficiency in the execution of European Union funds.

This is a modification of the national norm by which the provisions related to European Union aid are developed through the operational programs of the producer organizations of the fruit and vegetable sector, aid reaching 220 million euros year.

The main elements of this modification of the royal decree are the following:

One of the measures included in the “Plan of Measures for the Citrus Sector” that this Ministry presented to the sector and the autonomous communities on April 2, 2019, is developed so that the operational programs contribute to adjust the supply to the demand in this sector, directing investments to varieties with greater commercial output in the market.

Responding also to the commitment made with the sector, the application requirements of the mutual fund replenishment action are specified within the framework of the crisis prevention and management measure, which drives its use. These funds constitute a mutual fund, provided for in the operational programs available for this sector, which is provided voluntarily with financial contributions from the members of the producer organization. To this end, they receive 50% support from the EU. Mutual funds are an innovative income stabilization tool that farmers can incorporate into their operational programs. If so decided, this instrument is activated when the income of members of the producer organization reduces, at least, 20% with respect to the arithmetic average of the last three years, or the average of the last five, receiving aid that You can reach 70% of the loss of your income.

Technical modifications are included in order to clarify its content and provide greater legal certainy.

As established by European and national Union regulations, organizations of fruit and vegetable producers may submit until next September 15, 2019 the new operating programs, their modifications and the operating fund for the following year, in the This news will be included.