France pledges over €1 billion in aid for drought-hit farmers

France announced on Friday that it would provide more than €1 billion ($1.16 billion) in aid to farmers who have suffered extensive damage to crops, pastures, and water supplies due to record heatwaves and drought. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard stated that the €1 billion package represents a significant effort within the current budgetary constraints. Approximately half of the aid, totaling €520 million, will be allocated for rapid payments to farmers impacted by the weather events. The plan also establishes a local recovery fund to assist farms in purchasing essential supplies such as seeds and animal feed, alongside measures like land-tax relief, social security payment assistance, and fuel subsidies. France's primary farmers' union, the FNSEA, reported that agricultural production losses this summer are expected to exceed €10 billion, with over €5 billion already estimated for both the livestock and crop sectors. Another heatwave is anticipated this week in France, the European Union's largest agricultural producer.