Storm damage to Algarve farms totals €3.6 million

GreenhousedamageThe Minister of Agriculture said on Saturday that the damage to the 60 Algarve farms caught up in last week’s bad weather, would cost  €3.6 million to rectify.
 
The survey after the bad weather on March 4, was carried out last week by regional technicians from the ministry run by Minister Luís Capoulas Santos.
 
The municipalities of Faro, Olhão, Tavira, Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António were affected.
 
The minister said also that the legal ordinance to enable support for those farmers affected will be published next Tuesday in the Diário da República.
 
"The farmers will have 20 days to submit an application for support," said Santos.
 
Grants will be 100% for those with losses up to €5,000, 85% for losses between €5,000 and €50,000, and 50% for losses between €50,000 and €800,000.
 
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, visited a damaged farm in the Faro area on Saturday, and commented on the government's move.
 
"It is a commitment made by the government, which, incidentally, was soon put into place," said the head of state, who called for "encouragement" for those farmers who suffered damage to their farms.