The government is paying 4.95 million euros to farmers as emergency support to cover energy costs.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced this Wednesday the disbursement of 4.95 million euros in emergency energy cost support under the Food Price Stabilization and Reduction Pact.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, through the Institute for the Financing of Agriculture and Fisheries (IFAP), has made a payment of 4.95 million euros in connection with the “Emergency Support for Energy Costs”, a payment provided for by the “Pact on the Stabilization and Reduction of Food Prices”, the ministry of Maria do Seu Antunes said in a statement.

He said that “within the next week” the new support for non-ferrous diesel fuel should also reach farmers in the amount of “about 30 million euros”.

Both supports were created under the Food Price Stabilization and Reduction Pact, signed in March, which provides for 180 million euros of assistance to farmers, coming entirely from the state budget.

“This exceptional measure was approved by Brussels in record time, and it allowed us to pay also in record time, finally in the red,” said Maria do Seu Antunes, quoted in the communiqué.

According to the minister, “producers and farmers should check in the IFAP private zone as soon as possible whether the information provided in the beneficiary identification is complete.”

This support stems from the publication of Decree No. 120-A/2023 of 11 May, which creates and lays down general rules for this exceptional measure, signed in accordance with the Pact for the Stabilization and Reduction of Food Prices, signed on 27 March between the Government, the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal ( CAP) and the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (APED), as well as from Decree No. 28-A/2023 of May 3, which determines the support for fuel and electricity in the agricultural sector. .