By C. R.
The parliamentary group SDS has addressed a call to Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob, urging the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to immediately and actively assist Slovenian farmers.
The extensive damage and difficult-to-repair consequences accompanying the current weather conditions in practically all Slovenian regions have also affected the majority of domestic agriculture. Storms have destroyed a significant portion of crops in vineyards, orchards, gardens, and other agricultural areas, and have damaged tools, vehicles, residential and farm buildings, as stated in the press release.
“In recent times, we have primarily witnessed PR campaigns by representatives of the current Government of the Republic of Slovenia. If we consider the promises regarding assistance to intervention teams and municipalities, we suspect that the current government is not fully aware of the short-term and long-term consequences of natural disasters. Quick and interventionary aid is necessary, but systemic adjustments to natural disasters are also needed. The parliamentary group of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) therefore urges the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to take prompt and effective action to assist Slovenian agriculture in light of the current weather events.
– The Government of the Republic of Slovenia should prepare an emergency law on urgent assistance to the affected, modelled after PKP, and submit it for urgent parliamentary consideration, regardless of parliamentary recess.
– The Government of the Republic of Slovenia must do everything possible to ensure that farmers can access assistance as quickly as possible, as regular procedures are very time-consuming. It should ensure that state aid to farmers is paid no later than the end of this year.
– The Government of the Republic of Slovenia should lift tax restrictions or introduce special tax reliefs for agricultural activities in Slovenia.
– The Government of the Republic of Slovenia should prioritise the protection of Slovenian farmers and take appropriate measures regarding the already low purchase prices of Ukrainian grains, which further jeopardise the competitiveness and existence of Slovenian farmers due to the destroyed crops.
– Favourable loans from the Ribnica Fund should be prepared.
– State aid to the agricultural sector in Slovenia should be introduced in the amount of at least €50 million.
– An action plan should be prepared to accelerate investments in agriculture as part of climate change adaptation (such as anti-hail nets, irrigation systems, and greenhouses).
– Special calls for proposals under the SKP for the agricultural and beekeeping sectors should be prioritised.”
Agriculture is a sector that is by far the most important for human survival. During the coronavirus epidemic and the war in Ukraine, we were forced to accept the fact that food is not always readily available. “Every farmer in Slovenia who produces food does not just produce a commercial product but produces something that is crucial for our existence. Therefore, timely and effective action by the state in the face of threatened domestic agricultural production is in the best interest of every citizen,” the statement concludes.