The new head of the European Commission's fresh produce unit, Emmanuel Jacquin, has confirmed he intends to continue strengthening the Commission's support for European fruit and vegetable producers and marketers.
Speaking at Fruit Logistica in Berlin last week, Mr Jacquin also revealed plans to set up a new dedicated website for the sector this coming autumn.
Mr Jacquin, who succeeded Tomás Garcia Azcarate at the start of this year, said EC-backed initiatives like the European School Fruit Scheme and the joint agreement reached in the long-running banana import disagreement reflected the commitment of the Commission's Directorate General for Agriculture towards the European fresh produce trade.
Measures to improve European quality standards and to develop sales potential for agricultural goods would also continue, he added.
'Value creation for the consumer needs to be increased even further,' he insisted. 'This clearly includes product quality and environmental sustainability.'
