After a recent EU Farm Ministers meeting, Copa & Cogeca have urged the EU Commission to step up efforts to re-open the Russian market to EU agricultural exports, warning that the sector remains in a critical state and that action to address this is 'vital'.
Speaking after a meeting with the Dutch Presidency, Copa vice-president Henri Brichard said “We welcome the fact that many ministers understand the critical situation hitting EU farmers, especially in the EU livestock sector and fruit and vegetable sectors, which has been fueled by the ban imposed by Russia on EU farm exports.'
He went on to welcome introduction of the 'yellow card' system under CAP simplification for first offenders which will make life easier for farmers.
In cases where the over-declaration is minor (below 10 per cent of the area determined), the administrative penalty would be cut in half. Farmers who receive a yellow card will be registered and will be subject to an on-the-spot control the following year.
