Saxon cabinet approves aid for frost damage in fruit growing and viticulture

The Saxon cabinet has approved aid for fruit and wine growers affected by frost damage. The fruit growers had already had difficult times in recent years due to the drought, said Agriculture Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens) on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting in Dresden. For some, the question had arisen as to whether or not they should continue farming. There is currently a discussion about this in the sector. However, fruit growing and viticulture are important factors in Saxony - also for the cultural areas. They do not want businesses to have to give up and areas under cultivation to disappear.

A total of 22 million euros is available for this year and next to minimize frost damage. The winegrowers' association recently put the figure at around 34 million euros. However, Günther assumes that many wineries have insurance. The money now made available for the frost damage comes largely from his ministry's budget. Up to a maximum of 10 million euros can be taken from the climate fund on a temporary and one-off basis. However, the money is to flow back into this fund in 2025, it said.

Applications can be submitted to the Sächsische Aufbaubank if the companies have lost more than 30 percent of their average annual production. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has been asked to examine the possibility of short-time work compensation for employees.

"The frosts at the end of April caused massive and in some cases existential damage to fruit and wine growing," said Günther. A package has now been put together to help affected businesses. "This includes direct aid, but also possible tax deferrals and regulations on possible short-time working. This is an important message for the sector. Because fruit growing and viticulture are part of Saxony. We need the businesses for vibrant rural areas and more regional added value."