Confagricoltura: "Flooded fields aren't just damage: there's also the risk of an EU infringement."

The persistent rains of recent weeks risk causing, in addition to the damage and heavy losses already recorded in open field crops, also a possible EU infringement, with the restitution of EU funds already received by companies over the last four years, for failure to comply with the commitments undertaken by farmers under the Soil Protection measure, provided for by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The alarm comes from the president of Confagricoltura Cagliari, Alessandro Abis, who is calling on the Region to take action as soon as possible with Brussels to explain how the rainfall has prevented businesses from honoring their shared commitments.

"With the fields still submerged and waterlogged, in addition to having suffered severe losses due to root asphyxiation of crops and the inability to access the fields to harvest the little produce that hasn't yet spoiled," says Abis, "we haven't even been able to complete sowing for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. This lack of tillage, which has halted crop rotation, will prevent us from producing, especially cereals, and above all , will disrupt the commitments many farmers have made under the Soil Protection measure. Mud and conditions of agricultural land that are now unmanageable with mechanical means will therefore undermine the commitments we must ensure under the Soil Protection measure over a six-year period."

In addition to the damage caused by lost production, Abis continues, "we therefore risk incurring a Community infringement that would lead the European Commission to demand farmers repay the funds already disbursed (we are now in the fifth year of the measure) for failing to meet the commitment's timeframe. The situation affecting southern Sardinia has created the greatest problems in the plains stretching from the middle Campidano to the outskirts of Cagliari. But similar conditions are unfortunately being experienced in other areas of Sardinia: from Nurra to Logudoro, from Baronie to Oristano, through Sulcis and the coastal strip of Ogliastra. Given this extremely serious situation facing the island's sector, it is essential to convene a meeting with the Agriculture Councillor, Francesco Agus, and with the heads of the regional agricultural agencies, so as to rapidly plan political mediation between the Region and the European Commission," concludes the president of Confagricoltura Cagliari.

(Unioneonline)