Copa-Cogeca has welcomed EU Farm Ministers and EU Commission calls to be united in the face of the ongoing Russian ban on farm exports, warning that the sectors worst hit by the ban remain in a 'critical situation'.
The organisation said that 'Russia is failing to comply with World Trade Organisation rules'.
The move came as Ministers debated the impact of the Russian ban at a meeting in Brussels today (27 January).
Speaking on behalf of Copa-Cogeca in a meeting with the Latvian Presidency, Cogeca President Christian Pees warned: “Prices have still not recovered since Russia hit our biggest export market and imposed a unilateral ban on EU farm exports. Prices paid to producers for pigmeat, milk, fruit and vegetables, beef do not even cover production costs. Support is needed in all sectors to find new market outlets for this produce and for export promotion. It is important to remove sanitary barriers and other unnecessary obstacles to trade.'
Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen warned: 'In the fruit and vegetable sector, the new action plan must be adapted to market realities in the different member states.'
Outlining key measures in a letter sent to Director-General Mr Plewa, Copa-Cogeca urged the Commission to introduce a 5,000 tonne quota per Member state to use accordingly, and transfer quantities not previously used to the new scheme.
'Higher quantities for citrus fruit and apples are also needed in some countries like Spain and Italy,' the group noted.
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