Press Release: European Commission presents a €500 million comprehensive package of measures to support European farmers

The European Commission announced a comprehensive support package worth €500m on the 7 September 2015 for European farmers, recognising the difficulties being experienced by producers.

The focus of the response was threefold:

+ addressing the cash-flow difficulties farmers were facing,
+ stabilising market
+ addressing the functioning of the supply chain.

The proposals were presented to EU farm ministers on the same day as they met in a specially convened Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels.

Reacting to the new aid package Copa and Cogeca, the united voice of farmers and their cooperatives in the European Union, warned it was far from sufficient to have any noticeable impact.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/15/5601, 07.09.15: Annex: Comprehensive package of measures http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-5601_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/15/5600, 07.09.15: Speech by Vice President Jyrki Katainen, at the Extraordinary Agriculture and Fisheries Council http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-5600_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 7 September 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/agriculture-and-fisheries-council-7-september-2015/

France24, 07.09.15: Tractors block Brussels streets in call for EU farm action http://www.france24.com/en/20150907-tractors-clog-brussels-streets-farmers-europe-food-prices

Deutsche Welle, 07.09.15: EU promises 'decisive' response to farmers' woes http://dw.com/p/1GSHi

BBC News, 07.09.15: Europe to give struggling farmers €500m in aid http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34171946

EUObserver, 07.09.15: EU is 'last hope' for protesting farmers https://euobserver.com/economic/130140

EurActiv, 07.09.15: EU throws lifeline to farmers as protests bring Brussels to a standstill http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/eu-throws-lifeline-farmers-protests-bring-brussels-standstill-317402

Politico, 07.09.15: Protesting EU farmers get €500 million in aid http://www.politico.eu/article/protesting-eu-farmers-get-e500-million-in-aid/

ESO: Background information: Safety net measures for dairy, fruit and vegetables to be extended http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-safety-net-measures-for-dairy-fruit-and-vegetables-to-be-extended/

NFU: Brussels Office, 07.09.15: Farming unions' Brussels protest http://www.nfuonline.com/about-us/our-offices/brussels/latest-news/farming-unions-brussels-protest/

NFU: Brussels Office, 07.09.15: Protest: UK farming unions' joint statement http://www.nfuonline.com/news/latest-news/protest-uk-farming-unions-joint-statement/

COPA-COGECA: Press Release, 07.09.15: EU Farm Demonstration: Over 6000 farmers and 2000 tractors bring Brussels to standstill protesting against low prices mainly due to Russian export ban costing 5.5 billion euros and unfair actions by retailers http://www.copa-cogeca.be/Download.ashx?ID=1406824&fmt=pdf

COPA-COGECA: Press Release, 07.09.15: Copa and Cogeca warn new EU Commission aid package far from sufficient to improve drastic EU situation hitting agriculture markets caused mainly by Russian crisis http://www.copa-cogeca.be/Download.ashx?ID=1406863&fmt=pdf

EurActiv, 16.09.15: Commission proposes 'flexible' use of new agriculture aid http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/commission-proposes-flexible-use-new-agriculture-aid-317683

EUObserver, 15.09.15: Agriculture ministers accept Commission aid plan https://euobserver.com/economic/130282

EUObserver, 12.11.15: EU plan to buy milk for refugees still work-in-progress https://euobserver.com/economic/131089

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