Spain approves ‘unprecedented’ €2.2bn drought recovery plan

Package of measures will help farmers maintain production and avoid food shortages after hottest April ever

The Spanish government has approved a 2.2bn (1.9bn) plan to help the country's farmers and consumers cope with an enduring drought that has been exacerbated by the hottest and driest April on record.

The unprecedented package" of measures, which was signed off by the cabinet on Thursday morning, includes 1.4bn of funds from the environment ministry to tackle the drought and increase the availability of water, and 784m from the agriculture ministry to help farmers maintain production and avoid food shortages.