Application of common agricultural policy income support instruments in cases of force majeure due to severe climate events

Question for written answer E-000022/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Radan Kanev (PPE)

In Bulgaria in 2025, severe frost and freezing led, in some cases, to the total destruction of fruit crops, leaving affected farmers without marketable production or income. The only support provided was partial compensation of production costs under a national State aid scheme, which does not address income loss and may worsen farmers' situation following force majeure events.

As per the national guidelines for compensating crop losses caused by adverse climatic events in 2025, areas receiving such aid are excluded from eligibility for coupled income support for the same crops and areas in Campaign 2025[1].

Regulation (EU) 2021/2116[2], notably Articles 3 and 59(5), requires Member States to take account of force majeure and exceptional circumstances and to ensure that farmers are not penalised for losses resulting from events beyond their control.

• 1.Does the Commission consider such exclusions from coupled income support compatible with Articles 3 and 59(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 in cases of recognised force majeure?
• 2.How does the Commission ensure that national common agricultural policy rules comply with EU law regarding force majeure and exceptional circumstances?

Submitted: 7.1.2026

• [1] Implementing guidelines for the State aid scheme "Compensation for damage to agricultural crops caused by adverse climatic events which can be equated to natural disasters" - Campaign 2025 (latest version, additional resource). State Fund "Agriculture", Republic of Bulgaria, https://www.dfz.bg/documents/d/guest/ukazania_kompensirane-zagubi_prez-2025_dopalnitelen-resurs.
• [2] Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 (OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 187, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2116/oj).