Background information

The measure is intended to help fruit and berry farms to cover economic losses due to frost and freeze damage in the spring of 2023. The measure is regulated by Cabinet Regulation No 641 on Rules on granting emergency support from the European Union to farmers in the fruit and berry, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goat and horse breeding sectors. The support is granted in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1465 of 14 July 2023 providing exceptional financial assistance for agricultural sectors affected by specific problems affecting the economic viability of agricultural producers.

Content of measure

The fruit and berry growers had to inform the inspection that their orchards have been damaged by the 2023 spring frost. The fruit and berry growers orchards that have been inspected in the field by inspectors from the Latvian Rural Advisory and Education Centre or the State Plant Protection Service are eligible for the support. In order to apply for the support, the applicant submit an application in the electronic application system of the Rural Support Service by 21 November 2023. The support is calculated and granted according to a formula which takes account of the support rate for the fruit and berry crop concerned, the damaged area in hectares of the fruit and berry crop concerned and the intensity of the damage to the damaged area concerned. The support rate for the fruit and berry crop concerned ranges from €744.22 for rowan, currant and hawthorn to €2153.19 for plums and cherries. The total support available for the fruit and berry sector is €3,012,000.

Use of measure

A total of 278 gardeners received support. All available funding of €3 million was used.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	European Funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement by social partners.

Views and reactions

No specific views to report.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 07 November 2023: Rules on granting emergency support from the European Union to farmers in the fruit and berry, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goat and horse breeding sectors (likumi.lv)
• 08 November 2023: European Union emergency aid to farmers in the fruit and berries, milk and beef, sheep, goats and horses sectors (www.lad.gov.lv)
• 26 January 2024: Ministry of Agriculture continues active support measures for farmers (www.zm.gov.lv)