Italy hails EU move on funds to help farmers ahead of Mercosur talks

ROME, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Italy welcomed steps from the European Commission to boost support for farmers as the bloc prepares for sensitive talks on the long‑delayed Mercosur trade agreement, in a sign that the Italians might drop their opposition to the accord.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed to give member states early access to some agriculture funds from the 2028-2034 EU budget to help farmers ahead of a meeting to discuss a trade deal with Mercosur.

"I welcome with satisfaction the European Commission's decision to amend, as requested by Italy, the proposed new multi-annual financial framework to make an additional 45 billion euros available for the Common Agricultural Policy as early as 2028," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement on Tuesday.