That verdict unlocks the release of some 340 million euros ($390 million) in aid from federal and state governments. The amount available falls short of what German farmers had asked for and the 3 billion euros ($3.45 billion) economic damage reported by just eight of Germany's 16 states. The German Farmers Association had called for 1 billion euros in aid after its president, Joachim Rukwied, said cereal crop harvests nationwide were down 25.6 percent compared with the average of the previous five years. He said the harvest in some parts of Germany could be said to have failed entirely and that the cost of the drought could increase further. Like much of Europe, Germany has seen little rain and long spells of very hot weather since April.

Source: ABC News August 22, 2018 09:35 UTC