Agricultural reserve funds will offset avian flu and African swine fever losses

EU Support Confirmed

European Union Member States have endorsed a Commission plan to channel EUR 73 million from the agricultural reserve to Italy. The money is meant to compensate livestock holdings in regions hit by avian influenza and African swine fever. The move coincides with a visit to Sorrento by Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen.

High-Level Visit in Sorrento

On 25 September, Commissioner Hansen met Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sovereignty. He gave a keynote address at the General Assembly of the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU (AVEC) and joined a panel on building the future of the EU poultry sector through innovation.

Allocation by Sector

Poultry and egg producers in zones affected by avian influenza between September 2022 and March 2025 are in line for EUR 61 million. Pigmeat producers in zones affected by African swine fever between 1 November 2024 and 30 April 2025 are in line for EUR 12.5 million. The aid is intended to offset losses caused by official actions taken to contain the diseases and stop them spreading further.

Reserve Financing and Deadline

Funding comes from the EU agricultural reserve. National authorities must complete payments to eligible farmers by the end of May next year. The Commission presents the envelope as a sign of continued backing for producers during animal-health crises, and as support for the resilience and competitiveness of Europe's eggs, poultry and pigmeat sectors.

Implications for Meat and Egg Supply Chains

For buyers, processors and logistics operators, the decision is a farm-level compensation scheme, not a change in trade or veterinary rules. The larger share is directed at Italian poultry and egg businesses covering a long outbreak window from September 2022 to March 2025. The smaller share is directed at pigmeat businesses covering African swine fever from 1 November 2024 to 30 April 2025. Because the stated aim is to cover losses tied to control and prevention measures, the funds address income gaps that arose while those measures applied. The May deadline next year gives a fixed date for money to reach eligible holdings.

Focus on Resilience and Poultry Trade

The Sorrento programme places the compensation decision next to talks with Italy's agriculture ministry and with AVEC, which represents EU poultry processors and poultry trade. A EUR 61 million avian influenza line sits beside a discussion of innovation in the EU poultry sector. On the published facts, the EUR 73 million is agricultural-reserve compensation for disease-related losses, with support for sector resilience and competitiveness, and with no separate price or volume measures announced.

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