Additional EU support for fruit and vegetable growers

The European Commission has decided to spend another €165 million in helping farmers get back costs due to lost fruit and vegetable exports to Russia. This comes on top of a €125 million fund already doled out for withdrawal of products. This time the fund will set more stringent country and product group quotas, as read in a European Commission press release. The aim is to prevent claims in excess of the standard export figures. EU agricultural commissioner Dacian Cioloş stated: "I am pleased that the Commission has managed to mobilise a further €165 million to help ease the market pressure for fruit and vegetable growers ... These market support measures will provide short-term relief." The move falls under Delegated Regulation taken under the Commission's own authority. Such a legislation does not require prior approval by Member States or the European Parliament.