E-Coli crisis: the European Union provides support to the vegetables producers
The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloş explained today in a press conference in Brussels the emergency aid plan to support the European vegetables producers hit by the E-Coli sanitary crisis. "The source of the E-coli epidemic is not known. It is the Commission's main priority to end the sanitary crisis and restore consumer confidence", underlined the Commissioner. "In response to the economic impact that we have seen all across Europe, my priority as Commissioner for Agriculture is also to support vegetable producers as soon as possible. They need support now", stated Dacian Cioloş.
The emergency aid plan, with a budget envelope of 210 million euros, will be submitted to the approval of the EU member states experts on June 14.
The support measures foresee a 50% compensation for the European producers of cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, courgettes and sweet peppers, withdrawn from the market in the period from May 26 to June 30. For producers who are members of producer organisations - given the mechanisms existent in the framework of operational programmes - the compensation could go up to 70%. These funds will be accessible for all producers, administered through producer organisations or national paying agencies if member states prefer. "
We are doing the maximum within the financial possibilities available to us and with the tools at our disposal today", stated commissioner Cioloş, adding that "it is true that we are not sufficiently equipped to respond to this type of crisis. We need to take this into account within the framework of the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy".
