“The European Commission stands by your side and supports you”, was the message EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen brought with him as he visited Portugal on Tuesday to assess the damage caused by severe flooding and a powerful storm.
Hansen said his visit was not only about evaluating the destruction on the ground, but also about showing solidarity, making clear that other EU member states are thinking of Portugal and stand with its people.
Speaking during his visit, Hansen described the situation as catastrophic. Entire livelihoods have been wiped out, he said. Hansen explained that he met Portuguese authorities to review the scale of the damage.
He said that at least 200,000 hectares of forest have been affected, along with a comparable area of agricultural land. Hansen flew over parts of the crisis zone by military helicopter together with representatives of farmers’ organisations to survey the destruction. He described the scenes as shocking, saying it resembled the aftermath of an atomic explosion.
The storm brought wind gusts exceeding 200 km/h, one of the most violent ever recorded in Portugal. According to Hansen, there is no doubt that the country will need substantial assistance, but rebuilding will take months, if not years.
Hansen noted that losses are immense and that many people are now questioning whether they should start again and reinvest. The immediate concern for many families is whether they will be able to preserve their livelihoods, he said.
Although floodwaters are slowly receding, revealing the full scale of the catastrophe, much infrastructure remains submerged, including roads and wastewater treatment plants, according to Hansen. He explained that current estimates put total damage at at least €5 billion, with around €1 billion affecting agriculture and forestry alone. At the same time, weather forecasts remain uncertain.
Agriculture Minister of Portugal José Manuel Fernandes has formally requested activation of the EU’s agricultural crisis reserve. However, Hansen pointed out that this fund amounts to only €450 million per year for all 27 member states, reminding of the major losses that Spain has also suffered.
“With €450 million, we won’t get very far”, Hansen said. He added that they will have to look beyond the crisis reserve, exploring options within the European Solidarity Fund, the Common Agricultural Policy, and Cohesion Policy in order to redirect resources towards reconstruction. Even so, he acknowledged that covering the full extent of the damage will be extremely challenging.
On Wednesday evening, Hansen is due to travel to Spain to meet farmers and local authorities there.
