Stonefruit

Growers in France have attacked a consignment of Spanish peaches and nectarines as it crossed the border between the two countries at Le Boulou en Roussillon.

Spanish producers in particular had their reputation tarnished by the E coli crisis and they have been selling below cost price in France, causing friction with native growers.

Pekka Pesonen, secretary-general of farming lobby Copa-Cogeca, called on the European Commission to intervene.

'I urge the commission to prevent these violent attacks from happening again. I call urgently for EU support for peaches and nectarines to be stepped up.'

Stonefruit prices are more than 50 per cent lower than in previous years, according to Spanish cooperative AgriFruit, and Pesonen wants the EU to make an additional payment of €30 per 100kg for stonefruit that are withdrawn from the market.

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