Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced that three projects have been approved by the Council of Ministers to support those affected by the Limassol wildfire, totaling €23.5m.
The first concerns direct financial aid of €5m to all affected farmers and livestock breeders, whether they have submitted an application for hectare subsidies to the CAPO for 2025 or not.
The goal, according to the Minister, is to start payments from Monday 4 August, and to complete them within the next week. This is a de minimis aid of €50,000, while in cases where the aid of €50,000 is exceeded, this will also be paid through the new legal procedures.
This aid covers the total loss of income for one year and is immediate.
€15.5m emergency reactivation plan
The second plan totals €15.5 million and is the implementation of an emergency reactivation plan, aiming to restore productive activity in the primary sector.
The plan provides for the payment of compensation of up to 80% to those who wish to reactivate in the primary sector and take actions to repair the damage.
These are farmers and livestock breeders who participate in the Agricultural Land Protection and Insurance Fund.
The Minister explained that for those who do not participate in the Agricultural Land Protection and Insurance Scheme, an additional investment plan of €3 million has been approved, which also concerns the restoration of fixed assets such as agricultural and livestock equipment, greenhouses, premises, investments in beekeeping and others, with a total subsidy amount of 65% of eligible costs.
"Let's say that for these last two projects of €15.5 million and €3 million, the goal is to open within the week, most likely on Saturday, and there will be officers on site in the community councils of the affected areas, as well as in the provincial office of the Department of Agriculture to answer questions, accept applications, and so on. More details and phone numbers will be posted within the day," said Panayiotou.
Additional proposal to restore water supply
Panayiotou also said that the Council of Ministers approved an additional proposal from the Ministry. It specifically concerns the restoration of water supply and flood protection projects.
The amount of €1m and €550,000 has been approved and concerns water supply restoration work, including the supply of materials, equipment components, generators, water by tanker, as well as services and machinery.
This measure also concerns flood protection projects, watercourses passing through residential areas and any other needs that arise for the restoration of critical infrastructure. It also concerns a grant scheme for the supply of generators by communities, without requiring new approval from the Cabinet.
This grant plan for generators is a request submitted by the community leaders at the previous meeting in Troodos, and as the Minister stated, their request has been immediately heard, "and we are moving forward with this plan, which will also be opened within the week."
