European Parliament

10/03/2025 | Press release | Archived content

Vistriza dam and the infrastructure works needed to support struggling farmers in Western Phthiotis

Vistriza dam and the infrastructure works needed to support struggling farmers in Western Phthiotis

3.10.2025

Question for written answer E-003899/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kostas Papadakis (NI)

The anger of farmers in Western Phthiotis, Greece, is justified: close to 50 % of their crop production - mainly maize and alfalfa - has suffered damage due to the lack of irrigation infrastructure, while the Spercheios river plain is drying out.

The problem is not due to 'climate change', as EU government and regional-municipal authorities claim. It is the result of the EU's water management policy, promoted and implemented by the national government and local administration. For the sake of maximising corporate profits, they seek to turn water and its management into a costly commodity, aiming to limit demand for water by increasing its price rather than increasing supply through aquifer enrichment projects, which would allow for expanded irrigation.

The region of Western Phthiotis is rich in water resources, and yet farmers are unable to irrigate their crops and struggle to make ends meet, leaving them with concerns about the future.

In the light of the above, what are the Commission's views on:

  • 1.the call for an immediate solution for a secure water supply for irrigation, with the construction of a dam on the River Vistriza and the drilling of wells, without raising the cost of water or other charges?
  • 2.the need to immediately compensate farmers for all damages suffered, which are on top of those already inflicted by the EU's harmful common agricultural policy, which has sent production costs soaring and significantly lowered the going rate for agricultural products?

Submitted: 3.10.2025

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