“All the farmers’ demands were seriously considered and authoritative responses were given,” Rural Development and Food Minister Kostas Tsiaras said in an interview with REAL FM 97.8 on Saturday, referring to his four-hour meeting with representatives of the Panhellenic Union of Agricultural Blocs the previous day.
“For the first time, we have legislated for a full refund of the Special Consumption Tax on agricultural diesel,” said Tsiaras, emphasising that no past government has ever refunded farmers for the entire amount of the Special Consumption Tax through legislative regulation. The amount listed in the budget will be indicative, he said, while “all invoices that are presented will of course be paid.” He said that the final refund amount could be 130 million euros or even 160 million euros.
The minister also referred to the issue of determining the quantities of diesel required for each crop: "We have shown a willingness to review the method of calculating both the quantities and the amounts that will be refunded," he noted, clarifying that the government is willing to review the quantities of fuel required to complete each crop, as currently there are crops, such as grapes, that receive a small refund of the Special Consumption Tax. In order to redefine the needs of each crop, he stressed that a special working group will be established, with the participation of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Rural Development and farmers.
He also spoke to what he called a generous package offered to farmers affected by the recent epidemics, including both compensation and money to replace lost animals.