Brussels, 08/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - MEP Agnès Le Brun (EPP, France) organised a crisis meeting on Friday 8 November between the European Commission (represented by members of the cabinets of the agriculture and internal market commissioners) and stakeholders in the French poultry sector, which is in crisis. The Commission did not go back on its decision to abolish export refunds for poultry meat but the meeting did allow options for action to be opened for the future.
Le Brun underlined when speaking to EUROPE that the meeting had confirmed the need for urgent treasury aid on the part of France in favour of the poultry sector in order to get over the difficult period. The second pillar of the common agricultural policy (CAP), which refers to rural development, offers many possibilities on condition that they are used, she commented. France has still not suggested anything on this, when there is the possibility of finding quite a large amount of money, Le Brun said. European money will only be given if the country requests it and France is not good in this respect, she said. Le Brun is the mayor of the Breton town of Morlaix. (LC/transl.jl)