Regulation (EU) 2024/3242 amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 as regards specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters.

This Regulation makes amendments in Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 with the aim of providing exceptional effective support through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), implemented under rural development programmes, to address the vulnerabilities of the Union’s food system and of rural communities resulting from natural disasters occurring on or after 1 January 2024. Financial support shall be provided to sustain the continuity of farming and forestry activities and the continuity of business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in the processing, marketing or development of agricultural and forestry products. The resources for the new measure should be programmed with a co-financing rate of up to 100 %.
This Regulation inserts Article 6a to the principal Regulation that provides emergency assistance to farmers, forest holders and SMEs that are particularly affected by natural disasters. It also inserts Article 6b as regards the provisions applicable to the exceptional temporary support to farmers, forest holders and SMEs particularly affected by natural disasters; Article 6c as regards the cases of force majeure; Article 6d regarding the implementing powers of the Commission; and Article 6e as regards the Rural Development Committee to assist the Commission.