The proposal is for supports paid out of national funds for the years 2008 - 2013.
This year, Finland is paying farmers in southern parts of the country a total of 94 million euros in order to help keep the sector competitive with other parts of the EU and to keep farming a viable enterprise.
The payments provide extra income for farmers raising ruminants, including dairy farming, hogs, poultry, those with greenhouse operations, and also covers some costs of the storage of fruits and vegetables.
It is still unknown what the price tag will be next year. However, it is expected to fall, as it has steadily over the past few years. Separate supports for grain farmers, 55 million euros are also paid out annually, but these funds are not a part of upcoming talks with the EU Commission.
Over the next few years, an increasing portion of the funding will be shifted into further development of agriculture production infrastructure. The agreed proposal includes investment supports and start-up supports for young farmers.
The Finnish Farmers' and Forest Owners' Union MTK approved the terms of the proposal, but not willingly. The group is still not happy with the fact that it will mean a decline in overall extra funding for farmers and does not include adjustments for inflation.
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