Leading agricultural experts from across Europe will meet later this week to discuss the possibility of providing financial support to producers in the wake of Russia’s decision to ban all food – including fresh fruit and vegetables – imported from the EU, US, Canada Norway and Australia.
Dacian Cioloş, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, told reporters the meeting of a specially convened taskforce would take place on Thursday 14 August and would consider the various options available as far as enabling Europe’s agriculture sector to find new markets and cope with the impact of Russia’s blockade.
“I understand the concern expressed in the EU farming sector,” Cioloş commented. “I want to underline that the Common Agricultural Policy has new and modernised tools to stand by them, as soon as it is needed, including our crisis reserve, which is already available now.”
The commissioner said he was also confident that the EU’s “resilient” farm sector would be able to shift quickly towards new markets and opportunities.
“But there must be support to help this transition happen smoothly,” he admitted. “This requires a joined up, European response.”
Cioloş revealed he had spoken with agriculture ministers across Europe, in particular with Maurizio Martina, Italy’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and current European Council President.
“In the current context, the most important is to react in a proportionate and rapid way should the situation arise,” he continued. “As always when market situations require, I have already instructed my Services to establish a task force to analyse the potential impacts sector by sector, and to assess how we can effectively provide meaningful support if and where this is needed.
“Second, my services will today call a meeting of senior agricultural experts from all EU member states, to take place next Thursday.“
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