Portugal’s regional development bodies (CCDRs) are urging farmers affected by this week’s storms to formally declare agricultural losses after opening dedicated forms to register damage on the ground.
The Commissions for Coordination and Regional Development have begun making the forms available to record losses caused by severe weather events, including the recent storms that swept across mainland Portugal. So far, the CCDR North and CCDR Alentejo have announced the launch of the new forms.
The declarations are not applications for financial aid but are intended to help authorities map damage and prepare a future support scheme under the PEPAC – the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy. Any losses declared will later be verified through on-site inspections or remote sensing.
CCDR Alentejo stressed that submitting the form does not automatically entitle farmers to compensation, with any support depending on legal criteria and decisions by the competent authorities.
Farmers are also being advised to consult Ordinance No. 240/2025, which sets out the specific rules for aid in cases of adverse weather or natural disasters. Under the legislation, support may be granted when more than 30% of an agricultural holding’s productive capacity is destroyed by events such as storms, floods, heavy rain, hail, frost or severe drought.
Mainland Portugal has been battered since the end of last week by three weather systems — Ingrid, Joseph and Kristin — bringing heavy rain, strong winds, snow and rough seas.
Storm Kristin left a trail of destruction, causing at least six deaths, injuries and evacuations. The hardest-hit districts were Leiria, where the storm made landfall, followed by Coimbra, Santarém and Lisbon.
Fallen trees and structures, road closures, disrupted transport – particularly rail lines – school closures and widespread power, water and communications cuts were among the most serious impacts of the extreme weather.
Source: LUSA
