Crete farmers seek urgent EU aid after devastating floods

European Parliament member Sakis Arnautoglou has called on the European Commission to provide immediate financial support to farmers and livestock breeders in Crete following devastating floods. The extreme weather events have caused widespread destruction, particularly in the Lasithi Plateau, where thousands of acres of crops, including potatoes and various vegetables, were submerged in water and mud.

In addition to crop damage, the floods resulted in significant losses of livestock, such as goats and sheep, and damaged critical infrastructure, including livestock facilities, agricultural roads, and irrigation networks. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated to map the affected areas.

Arnautoglou is requesting clarification on which European funding tools can be mobilized to compensate for these losses and restore productive capacity. He is also seeking flexibility within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Greek Strategic Plan to ensure producers do not lose subsidies due to these disasters. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for funding to repair infrastructure and implement flood protection projects to increase regional resilience.