A hot summer and prolonged drought in recent months have caused damages estimated at €14–17 billion to the agriculture sector in the European Union, EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen said on Monday during a meeting in Brussels. He noted that the final figure will only become clear once the harvest is fully completed.
Hansen explained that not only have harvests withered, but there has also been insufficient grass growth, resulting in a lack of animal fodder for livestock farmers across the bloc.
The Luxembourg commissioner called for increased investment in water storage infrastructure, emphasising that water resources must be managed strategically to address future shortages. He also advocated for compulsory insurance to safeguard farmers, highlighting that currently only 12% of agricultural production in the EU is insured against such damages.
