EU announces more aid for farmers after Russia food ban
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
30.09.2014 09:45
The European Commission is to give 165 million euros to fruit and vegetable farmers affected by Russia's food embargo after a previous compensation scheme was cancelled after concerns it was being abused.
Image: sxc.hu
"This programme will be more targeted than the initial scheme, although there is still some flexibility," EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said in a statement on Monday.
Poland is one of the largest exporters of food to Russia.
The new scheme will cover farmers growing and selling apples, pears, citrus fruit, kiwi, plums, table grapes, carrots, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes.
The scheme replaces a suspended 125 million euro financial package announced on 18 August after provisional applications showed that the full budget allocation had already been claimed.
"I am pleased that the Commission has managed to mobilise a further €165 million to help ease the market pressure for fruit and vegetable growers following the Russian ban,” Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said. (pg)