# France is providing more than 18.5-billion-rand to farmers hit by record heatwaves and drought this summer. The government says the package will help cover crop and livestock losses and support farms in restarting production. Around 9.7-billion-rand will be paid out urgently for weather-related damage, while another 4.4-billion-rand will help farmers buy seeds and animal feed. Further measures include tax relief, assistance with social-security payments and a fuel subsidy. France’s main farmers’ union estimates agricultural losses from the extreme weather will exceed 185-billion-rand.
France gives farmers 18.6-billion-rand aid package