Need for additional support to counteract the effects of the Russian embargo
12.3.2019
Question for written answer E-001311-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Czesław Adam Siekierski (PPE) , Andrzej Grzyb (PPE) , Jarosław Kalinowski (PPE) , Krzysztof Hetman (PPE)
Once again we must address the issue of the Russian embargo on agricultural products from the Union, which was introduced in the summer of 2014 and which has affected the horticultural, dairy and meat sectors in the eastern Member States, and particularly Poland, the Baltic states and Finland.
Despite the actions taken by the Commission to counteract the crisis in agriculture, amounting to more than EUR 1 billion, and the withdrawal of 1.75 million products, these agricultural markets continue to face a difficult situation. We are still observing instability and a constant deterioration of the income situation in agriculture, particularly in fruit and dairy farming, which threatens the future of many farms. In addition, at the end of June 2018, and despite our protests, the Commission did not extend the exceptional support scheme for fruit and vegetable producers affected by the embargo.
At meetings which we attend, farmers are still outraged at the fact that they are forced to bear the cost of decisions of the EU diplomacy — decisions on which they had no influence and for which they carry no blame.
1. Given the very difficult situation on the fruit market, does the Commission plan to introduce new support programmes for producers affected by the Russian embargo?
2. How does the Commission assess the prospects for lifting the embargo and enabling EU producers to return to the Russian market?
3. From the perspective of the Common European Market, how does the Commission assess the fact that agricultural production is growing in Russia and that imports of agricultural products, particularly cereals, from that country into the EU have increased?