Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Iztok Jarc visited Braslovce in mid northeast on Monday in the aftermath of a devastating hailstorm, which first estimates show caused more than four million euros in damage. The minister expressed solidarity with the hop producers there, whose produce was annihilated.
The storm that wreaked havoc in mid northeastern parts of Slovenia on Friday destroyed some 280 hectares of hop fields just before this year's harvest was to begin.
According to Jarc, hop growers can expect aid once the final estimates of the damage are done and experts have put forward technical solutions for the restoration of hop fields. This calls for a mid-term plan, the minister said.
"This is an emergency situation and action must be taken accordingly. We are not here to make promises, it is necessary to get together to establish what can be done. Funds to assist the hop growers must be found in government reserves and the Agriculture Ministry too will approve funds for the restoration of hop fields."
Minister Jarc regretted the misfortune of hop growers, in particular this year when they had hoped for a good harvest. "The natural disaster has overturned the situation for some time," Jarc said.
Mayor of Braslovce Marko Balant added that Friday's hailstorm also caused considerable damage in the forests in the area. It in addition caused EUR 1m damage on the local school, which was left without the roof.
Balant expects the state to act promptly to help the municipality, while he also believes that this year's school term will be delayed due to the devastation.
According to Monday's press reports, the hurricane over Braslovce and the surrounding area raged for just about ten minutes, sweeping off roofs from 200 buildings, toppling trees and hop trellises, while hail devastated produce in fields and gardens.
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