The Commission extended the support measures by the Russian import ban

Brussels decided to extend the extraordinary measures to help fruit and vegetable producers affected by the extension of the Russian import ban, following the requests made by the Spanish Popular Party, who led a letter to the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, signed by members European People’s Party.

The EU executive announced maintenance from August first measures to support the fruit and vegetable sector, including stone fruits, after completion on June 30 aid package introduced last year.

Although the measures do not cover the month of July, mainly due to the unexpected extension of the import ban, Vice President of the European Parliament, Ramon Luis Valcarcel described as “very positive” the decision of the European Commission to continue to support producers of fruit and vegetables, with a proposed budget of around 150 million euros.

The decision will benefit in Spain to a quota of 7,600 tonnes of apples and pears; 5,000 tons of plums, table grapes and kiwi; 22,900 tons of tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, sweet peppers and gherkins; 55 450 tonnes of oranges, clementines, tangerines and lemons, and 38,400 tons of peaches and nectarines. All these amounts is also added a quota of 3,000 tons of freely available.

Source: PPE