JRC supports Commission efforts to help EU farmers suffering extreme drought conditions

The European Commission is supporting European farmers in the face of the current extreme drought situations by enabling higher advanced payments and granting more flexibility for farmers to use land that would normally not be used for production, in order to feed their animals, in addition to support under the existing Common Agricultural Policy legislation.

Through its monthly MARS crop monitoring in Europe Bulletin, the JRC informs the Commission and the general public on the impact of weather conditions on EU crops and grassland areas.

After the cold and wet conditions of the past winter and a speedy recovery in April, the Bulletin has reported a steady decline in crop yield forecasts and pasture conditions due to continuing dry conditions in large parts of northern central and northern Europe since May-June this year.

Over the past six weeks, the JRC also has provided many updates and ad hoc analyses on specific requests of DG AGRI, mostly focusing on the condition of pasture areas, and has made several presentations to Member States representatives and sector stakeholders.

The next MARS crop monitoring in Europe Bulletin, which will provide updated crop forecasts, will be issued on 27 August 2018.

Further information

• European Commission - Press release: Commission offers further support to European farmers dealing with droughts
• Monitoring Agricultural ResourceS (MARS) Bulletins
• June 2018: EU yield forecasts revised downwards
• July 2018: EU winter crop yield forecasts revised further downwards
• Use and relevance of European Union crop monitoring and yield forecasts
• Performance of the MARS-crop yield forecasting system for the European Union: Assessing accuracy, in-season, and year-to-year improvements from 1993 to 2015
• Common Agricultural Policy

Related Content

European Commission - Press release: Commission offers further support to European farmers dealing with droughts

Monitoring Agricultural ResourceS (MARS) Bulletins

June 2018: EU yield forecasts revised downwards

July 2018: EU winter crop yield forecasts revised further downwards

Use and relevance of European Union crop monitoring and yield forecasts

Performance of the MARS-crop yield forecasting system for the European Union: Assessing accuracy, in-season, and year-to-year improvements from 1993 to 2015

Common Agricultural Policy