The Riigikogu passed with 72 votes in favour the Act on Amendments to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Act (348 SE), initiated by the Government, according to which transitional aid will be granted to farmers in 2013 under the same conditions as the ones applied to direct payments in 2012. The Act is intended to avoid a degradation of the economic situation and a reduction of the competitiveness of farmers this year which would result from the loss of complementary direct payments without implementation of transitional aid. The European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Act was amended by adding the necessary bases for granting transitional aids. All provisions concerning complementary direct payments established in 2012 apply to transitional aid. The implementation thereof will not involve contentual amendments in the requirements and the procedure for receiving the aid. The Act enters into force on 28 February 2013. 

Aivar Kokk, Meelis Mälberg and Ester Tuiksoo took the floor during the debate. 

The Riigikogu Press Service