The Government begins to pay this Monday direct aid of 159 million to farmers in the dairy sector

On inflation: "The Government is pending and will adopt the necessary measures to support citizens"

MADRID, 30 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has advanced that this Monday the direct aid approved by the Government of Spain has begun to be paid to farmers in the dairy sector (beef, sheep and goats) to compensate for the negative effects of the war in Ukraine.

"Today the 159 million euros allocated to 18,800 farmers in the dairy sector are being paid, who need this help due to their vulnerability and their importance in the agri-food sector," Planas announced, after participating in the commemorative act of the centenary of the Association of Brewers of Spain.

The owner of the branch has explained that thus a farmer who has an average farm of 100 dairy cows will receive around 16,400 euros approximately, while one with 500 sheep will receive some 7,300 euros of exceptional aid from the Government, while the one who has a farm of 600 goats you will receive about 4,900 euros.

In this way, in this first payment of 159.3 million euros out of the total of 169 million euros established in Royal Decree Law 6/2022, 118.7 million euros have been paid to cow's milk producers , 29.8 million euros for sheep milk and 10.8 million euros for goat milk producers.

Planas has stressed that this week nearly 90% of recipients who have their file in order will receive their aid, while the funds will be paid to the remaining 10% in the course of the month of June.

On the other hand, the head of Agriculture has assured that the Government "follows closely" and "concerns" inflation in Spain after confirming that the CPI has climbed in May to 8.7% due to the increase in gasoline and food prices.

"We are in an exceptional moment, caused by the end of the pandemic and the Russian invasion, which is affecting all the world's economies. The Government is still pending and will adopt the necessary measures to support citizens", has indicated.

Regarding the grain crisis that is causing the war, Planas recalled that this matter is being debated today and tomorrow in Brussels. "There is talk of facilitating the release of Ukraine's cereals to international markets, which would allow prices to be relaxed and provide security of supply, but it is an issue that is being discussed in Brussels," he pointed out.

Finally, Planas wanted to highlight the importance of the brewing industry in Spain, since he pointed out that it is a "sector that clearly contributes to the national economy".

"The brewing sector is the third largest producer in Europe and tenth in the world, which has important challenges in the future in terms of innovation and sustainability and that in the last 10 years has tripled exports", recalled Planas.