Brussels, 21/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - There being no qualified majority within the Council against the proposed text on exceptional support measures for fruit and vegetables producers, the delegated act is likely to be adopted shortly, in view of the discussions that took place at the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) on Monday 20 June.
The European Commission has proposed a one-year extension (until 30 June 2017) to support measures in order to help mitigate the impact on fruit and vegetables producers of the embargo on EU agricultural products imposed by Russia in April 2014 (see EUROPE 11570). Quantities eligible have, however, been reduced by 70%, with financial support amounting to at most €50 to €80 million. There was only a little over a 33% take-up of the programme in 2015-2016, producers having found new, alternative markets, according to the Commission. A total of €280 million has already been spent on this type of measure (withdrawal from the market, non-harvesting and green-harvesting) affecting a total quantity of 1.13 million tonnes. The EU farmers' and cooperatives' organisations, Copa-Cogeca, have described the cut in funding for 2016-2017 as “unacceptable”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)