22/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 22 September, the European Commission confirmed an increase in withdrawal prices for the fruit and vegetable sector. The price will rise from 30% to 40% of 2010-2014 average prices for the free distribution of products and from 20% to 30% of average prices over the same period for withdrawals for other destinations. Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan acknowledges that pear prices have remained very low throughout 2016 and that high volumes of stocks have put additional pressure on the markets. The regulation is expected to be adopted before the end of the year and to come into effect at the start of 2017. Since the beginning of the Russian ban in August 2014, the EU total aid to fruit and vegetable producers is €393.5 million. (LC)