Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Vlado Lakic of the Danilovgrad Livestock Farmers Association said that officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry told farmers that livestock producers could expect potential assistance due to the drought only after an assessment of the damage is carried out by the relevant municipal secretariats.

Lakic told Dan that they were informed at Wednesday’s meeting that there is currently no legal framework allowing the Ministry of Agriculture to provide support due to the drought that farmers are facing in Montenegro.

“The Ministry said it would ask all municipalities to assess the damage and determine how much hay yields have declined. Once they receive the information, they will submit a proposal to the Government regarding potential support,” Lakic said.

He added that livestock farmers were told that the Ministry has no measure currently available that could be used to provide rapid support in such cases.

Lakic said he was dissatisfied with the Ministry’s position that providing support is not permitted under EU rules, stressing that Ministry officials said they could not substantiate this claim in writing, but had received the information by telephone.

He believes the Ministry has a way to help by importing hay and clover.

“If it is not in the national interest to provide support, then that is a sign that everyone should close their farms,” Lakic said.