European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen has outlined a package of measures to support Sicilian farmers facing soaring input costs from the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, including a €540 million exceptional aid package from the EU agricultural reserve, of which Italy will receive a significant share. In a written answer on 27 July 2026 to a parliamentary question from Left MEP Giuseppe Antoci, Hansen acknowledged the severe pressure on Sicilian farms from high energy, fertiliser and transport costs linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the war in Iran, compounded by drought and green transition costs. The answer, however, contained no Sicily-specific measures beyond existing EU instruments.
Hansen pointed to several recent Commission initiatives. On 19 May 2026, the Commission adopted a Fertiliser Action Plan to reduce import dependency and boost domestic production. On 12 June 2026, it proposed enabling member states to maximise support under Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans through liquidity support, more flexible advance payments and adjustments to direct payments for 2027. On 22 April 2026, the Commission adopted the AccelerateEU communication proposing measures to benefit consumers and businesses, including farmers, and on 29 April 2026 it adopted a temporary state aid framework for the most exposed sectors, including primary agricultural production. For Sicily specifically, Hansen noted that the region's Rural Development Complement under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan has €1.5 billion allocated to support competitiveness and resilience.
The answer signals the Commission's intention to provide immediate relief ahead of the next production cycle while working on structural solutions to reduce EU dependencies. Institutional follow-up is expected as the Commission prepares to formally adopt the exceptional support package from the agricultural reserve, and as the legislative proposal on CAP flexibility moves through the co-decision process. The measures aim to balance short-term crisis response with long-term competitiveness and climate objectives, impacting EU farmers, national administrations, agri-food supply chains and consumers.