Brussels, 24/08/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission will put a proposal to the extraordinary Agriculture Council on 7 September extending the safety net in place to ease the pain of the dairy sector from the impact of the Russian embargo.
Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said after his meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma and Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs on Monday 24 August that the situation would have to be reviewed in the context of the 7 September Council, when “we'll be in a position to respond to the situation for Latvia and the other member states”. Straujuma said that, since Russia imposed its ban on the import of EU agricultural products in 2014, Latvian agricultural sector exports had decreased by 40% and agricultural income by 28%. Farmers had, of course, been seeking new markets, including China, but “more time is needed”, she stated.
To support the dairy sector, the EU has put measures in place: public purchase (intervention) and private storage aid for butter and skimmed milk powder (see EUROPE 11371). These are due to expire on 30 September but, under the Commission proposal, will be extended until 29 February 2016.
In response to the continuation of the Russian embargo, the safety net for the fruit and vegetables sector has been extended until then end of June 2016 (see EUROPE 11372). (Mathieu Bion)