EU looks at compensation for losses due to Russian import ban

There will be aid measures for fruit and vegetable growers by the European Union for the loss of income due to the Russian import ban. At the beginning of next week the EU will give more clarity about the aid to compensate the losses, said European Commissioner Ciolos after the meeting of European agriculture-experts in Brussel. They talked about support for the producers of cauliflower, cucumbers, mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes.

There will also be a weekly meeting to monitor the current situation. "It's nessecary that the EU supports the sectors which got the hardest hit by the boycott," says Dijksma, the Dutch Secretary of State, on Twitter.

The Dutch horticulture companies are in really bad weather. According to the greenhouse industry spokes person Nico van Ruiten, for 500 horticulture companies this boycott can be the knockout punch. It's just a matter of weeks before these companies can no longer sustain. Bell pepper grower Jos Enthoven acknowledges that. "My nursery can endure this situation for like 10, 12 weeks. If the situation doesn't improve, it's over."

Stong together

Earlier this week, different Dutch municipalities pleaded for support to growers and Greenport Holland sent an urgent letter to Dijksma. Die action 'Strong Together' now has more than 6,500 like on Facebook.