The government is preparing for a gas crisis: important changes for the agricultural sector

The Government is submitting a draft bill to the Seimas aimed at better safeguarding the supply of essential foodstuffs to the population in the event of a natural gas supply crisis.

The Ministry of Energy has announced that the group of vulnerable non-domestic gas consumers now includes the rearing of dairy and other cattle and buffalo, pig farming, grain milling, and the production of starch, starch products and malt, the Ministry of Energy has announced. 

Furthermore, it is proposed that agricultural or food industry entities with contracts to supply agricultural or food products to the state reserve be included in this group. 

“With these amendments, we aim to strengthen the security of the population’s supply of essential foodstuffs,” said Minister Lukas Savickas in a statement.

Should it be necessary to restrict gas supplies to consumers, these would be limited or gradually cut off in order of priority, first and foremost – large consumers without contracts for uninterrupted supply, whilst domestic consumers would be given the highest level of protection.

As stated in the report, energy resilience also depends on the preparedness of the companies themselves for potential disruptions. Legislation already requires some companies to stockpile the resources necessary for uninterrupted operations, including generators and fuel reserves.

It is proposed that the amendments come into force on 1 February 2027, so that the distribution system operator ESO has sufficient time to prepare for the new arrangements.