European Commission helps fruit & vegetable producers

€ 125 million help for fruit and vegetable producers damaged by the Russian embargo was officially approved by the European Commission. A suitable act is going to be published tommorow. Eventually, Poland did not succed in making preferable changes in the aid distribution law. Our authorities argued against low value of the aid, their distribution, the short period during which funds will be distributed and different treatment of the producers in associations and independent ones. The Commission wants to distribute € 82 million to apple and pear producers and €43 million for other goods, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or cabbages. If the goods won't be freely distributed, the aid will be reduced by 50 percent. The help will be distributed from 18 August to 30 November. Poland wanted to start the period on 1 August. The European Union plans further meetings between the Ministers to discuss economic situation caused by the Russian embargo.