At a difficult time like this, it is understood that the agri-food sector plays an even more
central role in supporting the population. Maintaining the same production volumes and the
usual food quality standards is one of the priorities that each country must have.

Like any other production sector, the agro-food now faces extraordinary troubles and it
must therefore be protected with specific solutions. The Press release of the European
Commission announces that it is working on this and that it has implemented some
measures to support farmers and production companies since the beginning of the emergency:

• Extension to submit the application for payments under the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy).
  The deadline is postponed to June 15, to give more time to request direct payments and
  for rural development. This change has already been communicated to Italy, but it will be
  applied to all Member States.
• Greater financial support: another measure to support the cash of farmers who will now
  be able to benefit from State aid of up to € 100,000.
• Creation of preferential lanes. To ensure the regular circulation of food products in the
  Member States, preferential lanes are to be created by reviewing customs control
  procedures. For example, the Commission proposes max. 15 minutes for each check, and
  to request the driver only an identity document, with the possibility of sending other
  documents electronically.

SOURCE
European Commission