Frost damage - fruit and wine growers can apply for help

Fruit and winegrowing businesses in Saxony can now apply for state aid for the frost damage they suffered in April. The deadline is December 31 and applications can be submitted online via the Sächsische Aufbaubank's funding portal, the Ministry of Agriculture announced. Up to 22 million euros from the state budget are available for support.

"In addition, the European Commission announced on September 23 that it would support the member states affected by the frost damage with emergency aid from the agricultural reserve. Following the adoption of a corresponding regulation, Germany would receive up to 46.5 million euros in support," the statement continued. The EU Commission's proposal is expected to be adopted this Monday.

According to Agriculture Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens), fruit and wine growing in Saxony needs a stable perspective. "Fruit and wine from the Free State are strategically indispensable for our goal of expanding regional value creation. Our commitment to the industry has now led to the EU also contributing additional money."

Mild weather at the beginning of the year allowed fruit trees and vines to sprout early. However, night frosts came in mid-April; shoots, blossoms and buds froze. The fruit and wine growers' associations put the damage at up to 100 million euros in total.