On Wednesday 2 September 2026, Luxembourg's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture and the Chamber of Agriculture announced targeted measures to support farmers affected by the persistent drought across the country.
According to the parties, the drought, which is affecting the entire country, is considered an exceptional weather condition and a case of force majeure. In addition to the shortage of fodder, it is also complicating the sowing of winter crops and catch crops. In response to the situation, Luxembourg's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, met with representatives of the Chamber of Agriculture and decided to grant targeted relaxations concerning conditionality requirements and support schemes for 2026.
Drought considered a case of force majeure
Farmers who, due to the drought, are clearly unable to comply with their obligations are exempt from penalties. The prerequisite is that they have made efforts to comply with the requirements and that the drought prevented their implementation.
More flexibility for grassland and grazing
GAEC 1 – Renewal of grassland: the limitation on the area that may be renewed annually is suspended for 2026. However, additional renewed areas must be immediately resown as grassland; prior cultivation of an annual arable crop is not permitted.
Buffer strips, erosion protection and vegetation cover (GAEC 4 to 6): the vegetation present on these strips as well as catch crops may be used for fodder purposes, provided that the vegetation cover is not destroyed.
Aid 517 – Set-aside areas on mown grassland: the unmown part of the parcel may be used immediately. The deadline set for 31 October is removed.
Aid 546 – Cattle grazing: the required grazing period is reduced from three to two months and the obligation of a five-month grazing period for cattle is removed. Farms therefore have greater flexibility in herd management and supplementary feeding in stables.
Aid 551 – Conversion of arable land into permanent grassland: in spring 2027, new sowing or reseeding will be permitted if grassland sown in autumn failed to emerge, or emerged only partially, due to the drought.
Relaxation measures for organic farming
In the event of a fodder shortage, the use of conventional fodder may be authorised under certain conditions. Temporary housing in stables is also possible in order to protect the vegetation cover. For this, an application must be submitted to ASTA’s organic certification service.
Minister Hansen stated: “With these measures, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture is responding to the exceptional drought situation and is providing the farms concerned with additional room for manoeuvre in order to mitigate the effects of the drought on agricultural production.”
