Topic analysis

EU farmers and hauliers to get up to €50,000 to cover extra costs of Iran war

The European Commission has launched the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), a measure running until December 2026, providing up to 70% coverage of extra fuel, fertiliser, and electricity costs for EU farmers, fishing businesses, hauliers, and energy-intensive industries impacted by the US-Israeli war against Iran; small businesses can claim up to €50,000 in grants with minimal paperwork. French officials and climate groups have criticized TotalEnergies for its 51% first-quarter net profit surge driven by war-related oil price hikes, calling for profit redistribution, while concerns exist that the subsidies could hinder the EU's renewable energy transition goals, though the commission defends the measures as a short-term emergency response.