BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) — European Union officials are drawing up new measures to help food producers hit by a Russian ban on agricultural imports.
They were expected to be published soon.
In August, Moscow imposed a one-year embargo on meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables from the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and Norway in retaliation for western sanctions over Moscow’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis.
EU farm exports to Russia are worth $15.7 billion a year, which is 10 percent of the bloc’s agricultural sales. The Russian embargo has affected EU products worth $7 billion, said the European Commission.
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The commission is finalizing the text and budget for a new compensation scheme following debate with representatives of the 28 member states and expects to make an an-nouncement soon, said spokesperson Roger Waite.
In the aftermath of Russia’s ban, the commission announced $176 million in aid for producers to help them cope with a glut of fresh produce that depressed markets.
However, it suspended that plan this month after a surge in claims. Polish farmers asked for more compensation than EU officials say the entire bloc exports to Russia in a year.
It remained unclear how much money was being disbursed under the $176 million plan. The new measures are in addition to the previous aid program.
