Liakoulis: “Decorative” ELGA, for the tree growers of Tyrnavos and Elassona

In a question to the Minister of Rural Development & Food, Mr. E. Avgenakis, the Secretary of K.O. of PASOK-Movement of Change and Member of Parliament for Larissa, Evangelia Liakoulis, in relation to the need to update the ELGA Regulation and the general restructuring of the Organization, based on the new needs created due to the Climate Crisis, with the occasion this time of unjust compensations received by the tree growers of Elassona and Tyrnavos, due to the frost of 2023.

In the question of the deputy of Larissa, the following are highlighted, among other things:

“Once again, the producers of the province of Larissa, and in particular the tree growers of Elassona and Tyrnavo, are justifiably angered by the recent, final conclusions of ELGA, which apparently were drawn up “collectively” and without individualization, in relation to damage their crops suffered from frosts in 2023, with almond fields being the most glaring case.

In particular and as complained by many collective representations of the tree growers of the above areas (Olympus Agricultural and Livestock Association, Sarandaporos Agricultural and Livestock Association, Elassona District Peelers Group, Domenikos Tree Growers Association), which also set up a special Coordinating Committee, in order to accept their request for a review of the findings , the main cause of ELGA’s “collective” (unfair) estimates for the disasters of 2023, is the outdated Regulation of the Organization, but also its significant understaffing, which do not allow it to carry out complete and fair checks.

In addition, in fact, a point of tension and friction between tree growers and ELGA is the fact that the specific findings do not allow for the objection process, when however cases are pointed out, in which neighboring crops were equally affected by the same damaging cause (frost 2023), were “estimated” roughly by the Organization, “one with 10% (destruction due to frost), while the one right next to it with 60%!”.

In this context, the producers of the province of Larissa are justifiably worried that this year’s crops, which due to the extensive drought and high temperatures are again at risk of being destroyed, will not be properly compensated by ELGA.

Following this and given that it is unthinkable for ELGA to resort to “collective” assessments, because it does not have the necessary personnel, in order to carry out comprehensive and not ad hoc checks, without even allowing the objections of the affected Thessalian producers”, the Evangelia Liakoulis asks the competent minister:

“-When will the change and update of the ELGA Regulation be completed and with what definitive timetable, but also if the local ELGA branch of Larissa will be reinforced with staff, in order to be able to individually review the findings of the tree growers of Tyrnavos and of Elassona, for the frost of 2023”.