The European Socialists and Democrats today called on the European Commission to grant additional financial support to European farmers coping with the Russian embargo, which is affecting nearly 40% of the fruit and vegetables and 33% of the cheese exported from the EU.
 
S&D spokesperson on farm policy, Paolo De Castro MEP, said:
 
"The international crisis with Russia is a political crisis, but European farmers have been left alone to pay the bill for it.

"The €125 million made available so far by the European Commission is absolutely insufficient to compensate our producers for their losses, especially if Russia continues to react by reinforcing their embargo.

"We therefore urge the Commission to grant more funds to cope with this crisis, as unfortunately no end seems to be in sight.
 
"However, as the agreement on the financial perspectives has in fact scrapped the emergency reserve for such crises, we cannot accept that these emergency funds are taken from the budget for direct aid.
 
"The EU needs to look beyond the agriculture budget and find other funds."
                              
Isabelle Thomas, S&D MEP and vice-president on budget, farm and fisheries policy, added:
 
"It is also important that the problems of fishermen are addressed. The value of banned fisheries products amounts to €144 million, according to 2013 prices.
 
"The European Commission must find fair and coordinated answers for all producers.
 
"In order to be strong externally, it is necessary to be united internally."

 

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