“If we take specifically the government’s reserve, (which amounts to) around 1.5 million euros, then it is simply impossible to compensate for these losses. However, this reserve will be opened up if we find a way of easing the burden for farmers,” he said after meeting with farmers in the town of Ukmerge.
Skvernelis said that Lithuania would apply to the European Commission for compensation, but added that he was not sure if Brussels would provide funds, noting that the Commission had not helped drought-stricken Southern Europe.
On the other hand, Lithuania receives less support than old EU member states, which could become an argument in seeking compensation, he said.
According to the Agriculture Ministry’s preliminary estimates, farmers’ losses due to the rainy weather may reach around 40 million euros.
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