The spring frosts have caused losses of approximately EUR 7-8 million to Latvian farmers, the Minister for Agriculture Didzis Šmits (United List) told Latvian Radio on August 9.
He said hat the damage caused by the frost was fully calculated, but now the damage caused by the storm and hail of August 7 must also be accounted for, which is scheduled to be done by August 25.
The European Union (EU) previously decided to give Latvian farmers under €8 million in compensation, allowing the country to allocate twice as much money from its budget, so if the government decides on such aid, less than €25 million will be available for compensation, Šmits said.
EU money will be available by the end of September, the minister said, adding that it is not the only aid option. It is planned to reduce some EU requirements as well.
The calculation of the damage caused by storms and hail will also be detailed, since the disaster affected Latvia as a whole, the Minister pointed out. According to the loss estimates, the government will have to decide on the aid and all decisions must be well-balanced, said Šmits.
