The fruit and vegetables management committee of the European Commission’s agriculture directorate last week approved an increase in aid to EU peach and nectarine producers.
French, Spanish and Italian growers had lobbied hard through their national governments and most of their requests were granted. The measures will be applied retroactively to 19 July this year once they are formally adopted in the coming weeks.
The committee approved aid for withdrawal of €26.90 for 100kg - this is an increase on the previously agreed levels of €19.56 for nectarines and €16.49 for peaches. Commissioner Ciolos said that an overabundance of production with several sources coming on stream at once had brought about the price crash, while producers also said the E.coli outbreak in May in Europe had dented consumer confidence in their produce.
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