Brussels, 19/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission adopted a regulation (published in OJ L 101 of 17 April) amending import duties in the cereals sector. The changes (made every fortnight in line with changes in the US commodity market prices, Ed) will raise the import duties (which had been set at zero) for the following cereals: rye and barley (EUR 23.38 per tonne) and medium quality wheat (EUR 5.17/tonne). The European farmers organisations COPA and COGECA, which were concerned about the EU's rising cereal imports (see EUROPE of 15/16 April, p.17) felt these measures were a "first step in the right direction", but regretted the changes hadn't been made earlier and didn't take effect at the beginning of the marketing year. A press release from the French agriculture ministry said that the French agriculture minister François Patriat and noted the Commission's decision and would be meeting Commissioner Franz Fischler on Monday (at the Agriculture Council) to seek out the most effective way to restore Community preference and ensure the EU cereal markets were in balance.