vue - Agriculture/Russian Embargo: Commissioner Hogan receives Laimdota Straujuma & Algirdas Butkevičius

EN - Commissioner Phil Hogan, in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development, receives Latvian PM Laimdota Straujuma and Lithuanian PM Algirdas Butkevičius on critical dairy sector situation due to Russian embargo: EU agriculture difficult situation due to Russian embargo will be discussed in Council of Agriculture Ministers Meeting on September 7th, 2015 - 24.08.2015 - Commission, Berlaymont - Schuman Pressroom, Brussels. Phil Hogan : "I am well aware from the time of the imposition of the Russian ban in 2014, that there has been continuous difficulties for farmers in Latvia, particularly dairy farmers, and we extended some support to assist Latvia in 2014-2015. But of course, now that we know that President Putin is extending those particular products for further ban, for another year, we have to review our situation, and we are proposing to do so in the context of our Council of Agriculture Ministers Meeting on September 7th next. So I look forward to fruitful discussions, a better understanding of difficulties on the ground for farmers, particularly dairy farmers, in Latvia from the Prime Minister and from the Minister, and on September 7th then we'll be in a position to respond not just to Latvia but to the other member states as well in the European Union at that stage. So Prime Minister." Latvian PM Laimdota Straujuma: "Since Russia introduced sanctions, exports of Latvian dairy products decreased by 40% and income of farmers decreased by 28%. Of course our farmers are looking for new markets, and now in this last year we have 18 new countries to which we export Latvian milk products including China, but for new markets we need more time, it's not possible to do it in one day. And therefore today we will discuss about possibilities to help farmers, assist farmers, not only in Latvia, but both in the EU and Latvia. (...) And I feel Commissioner (Hogan) understands the situation in the agriculture sector and especially in the dairy sector for the 3 Baltic countries and Finland." Commissioner Phil Hogan (with Lithuanian PM Algirdas Butkevičius) Lithuanian PM Algirdas Butkevičius: "Due to continuous decline of global prices and Russia's embargo, the dairy sector in Lithuania is going through a very difficult period. I would like to inform you that exports of milk and dairy products decreased by 34% and I would like to underline that the situation in Lithuania in this sector is critical. And today we ask the European Commission to provide the Lithuanian dairy produces an exceptional targeted aid of € 50 million in 2015. (...)" © Frédérick Moulin 2015 - EU 2015 - European Commission - All rights reserved.