Copa Cogeca has today (14 July) welcomed as a step in the right direction the EU Commission's move to introduce new measures to support EU fruit and vegetable growers faced with the Russian crisis, and to extend support in the EU dairy sector.
“The move is a positive step forward,' said Copa-Cogeca secretary Pekka Pesonen. 'EU dairy, pigmeat and fruit and vegetable growers are suffering enormously from the export ban imposed by the Federal Republic of Russia.
'The trade embargo from Russia – which farmers and cooperatives are the victims of – has cut approximately half, €5.5bn, of our agri-food exports,' he added. 'We therefore welcome EU Farm Commissioners Phil Hogan's announcement at EU Farm Ministers meeting today to present this week a proposal to support fruit and vegetable growers in the wake of the Russian crisis. This will help to stabilise the market but we need to analyse the details first.'
