The last June 17th, on the occasion of the World Day Against Desertification and Drought, the Anbi Observatory on Water Resources stated that approximately 70% of the surface of Sicilyhit this year by one dramatic Droughtpresents a medium-high grade of environmental vulnerabilitya situation that is leading to measures that go from water rationing to the slaughter of livestock due to the impossibility of guaranteeing their survival.
It is no coincidence that the Council of the Sicilian Region established, on 17 June 2024, to request to the European Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture of recognize conditions of force majeure and exceptional circumstances to the entire territory of Sicily pursuant to EU Regulation 2021/2116 precisely because of the persistent drought which has been affecting the Island for about a year, one of more serious of the last fifty years. And he gets ready to dispense 10 million of aid to farmers to purchase hay.
The proposal of the President of the Region, Renato Schifani, who at the moment also maintains the delegation of Councilor for Agriculture, was approved in the council meeting the day before yesterday, on the basis of documentation which highlights the reduction of water resources in reservoirs and a general context that places the Sicily in the “red zone” due to water shortages like Morocco and Algeria.
In Sicily, at the beginning of May, according to the Basin Authority of the Hydrographic District of Sicily, the water availability in the basins had fallen to 300.18 million cubic meters, i.e 30% of overall capacity. It’s about the worse result at least give it last 15 years with a negative difference, on the previous record of 2018, equal to over 187 million cubic meters. But there’s more: compared to the 2010-2023 average alone, 48% of water is missing. These are the latest public data available.
But a note from the Sicilian Region issued yesterday, 18 June 2024, underlines that it is “a situation which has worsened in recent weeks due to theunavailability of irrigation water in basins. For the agricultural and livestock sector this year, an average loss of 50% of production is estimated in the scenario of ‘unlikely summer rainfall’ and 75% if these do not occur”.
“After declaring the state of natural disaster for damage to agriculture on 9 February and obtained recognition from the Council of Ministers state of emergency notable national on May 6th – states governor Schifani – there extremely serious situation that we find ourselves facing imposes on us This further step to support our farms and livestock. My Government is committed on multiple fronts to combat the lack of water, but it is necessary all institutionsincluding European ones, concretely demonstrate attention and sensitivity for one emergency that must be addressed in a collective manner”.
Force majeure and exceptional circumstances
The recognition of the condition of force majeure and exceptional circumstances from 1st July 2023 to May 2024 will allow agricultural and livestock businesses operating throughout the Sicilian territory to take advantage of exceptions in some areas of Common Agricultural Policywhich would allow do not apply certain constraints to pastures and land, continue to enjoy help, postpone payments, sanctions and charges.
Vouchers for 10 million to farmers left without fodder
Vouchers will be provided to Sicilian farmers quickly for the purchase of hay for animals. The measure to counteract the effects of drought, desired by the president of the Sicilian Region Renato Schifani, provides for an allocation of 10 million euros and received yesterday, 18 June 2024, the favorable opinion of the third Productive Activities Commission of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.
This last step allowed the Regional Department of Agriculture to complete the procedure and publish the notice with which he breeders will be able to present the requests.
“I thank the Ars Productive Activities Commission for sharing the urgency and opportunity of this measure – says Schifani – in this way we maintain a commitment made to Sicilian farmers. I have given instructions so that all the bureaucratic steps for the provision of benefits are quick. We are fully aware of the emergency and we stand alongside the operators of a fundamental sector for the entire economy of the island. My Government’s commitment – underlines the President of the Region – will always be maximum, but I consider synergy and sharing of efforts to be fundamental to protect and enhance Sicilian agriculture and face this crisis due to the continuing drought together.”
In the decree signed yesterday by the general manager of the department, Dario Cartabellottawhich opens the tender for breeders, it is expected that the contribution be paid up to running out of funds and according to the criterion from the proportionality compared to damage immediately give her businesses and that the hay can be purchased directly drawing from a register of suppliers made available by the Sicilian Region.
The application must be submitted via i Agricultural assistance centers by next July 3rdwho will forward the request to Agriculture Department. Breeders will then be able to collect the product at the Dittaino industrial area (Enna) or another point that will be defined after having consulted the professional trade organisations.
To request to be included in theregister of suppliers Of forageinstead, you need to fill in the attached form to the announcement and send it away Pecfrom today June 19th and by the next one June 26, 2024 at the address [email protected]
