The Prime Minister will present a compensation plan to representatives of the Agricultural Council in response to rising fuel prices

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius is meeting with representatives of the Lithuanian Agricultural Council on Monday to discuss compensation for farmers due to rising fuel prices.

“The planned mechanism for compensation for rising energy prices will be presented at the meeting with the Lithuanian Agricultural Council,” the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Gedas Salyga, told BNS.

The meeting will also seek solutions on how to promote and expand the processing of agricultural produce in Lithuania, and will discuss Lithuania’s position in the negotiations on the EU’s multiannual financial framework, as well as other issues.

BNS reported that €9.788 million in European Union (EU) funding is earmarked from the agricultural reserve to compensate Lithuanian farmers for the rise in fertiliser and fuel prices.

With the European Commission planning to reduce funding for agriculture from 2027, including a 20 per cent cut in direct payments to Lithuania, the President’s adviser, Ramūnas Dilba, said in April that the Government must strive to ensure similar payments for all farmers in the Community.

In April, Jonas Vilionis, Chair of the Agricultural Council, demanded the same conditions as those enjoyed by other EU farmers and stated that farmers are in a critical situation and do not rule out the possibility of protesting.

Last autumn, farmers in Lithuania and other EU countries protested against the European Commission’s intention to cut funding for farmers from 2027. Farmers across Europe spoke out unanimously against the proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy, budget cuts, the EU’s unfair trade policy and bureaucracy.

BNS reported that between 2028 and2034, which is 20 per cent less than in the previous financial perspective (€5.485 billion).