Dutch fruit and vegetable growers are set to benefit from a €125m compensation package set up by the EU following the imposition of an import ban by Russia.

The money will go to compensate growers for not harvesting or removing produce from sale, farming commissioner Dacian Ciolos announced on Monday.

Dutch junior farm minister Sharon Dijksma has welcomed the move. ‘This is the right step and something the Netherlands has been urging for within Europe,’ she said.

‘The situation for vegetable and fruit growers is also particularly acute in our country. It is important to take direct action in the markets for apples, pears, tomatoes and bell peppers, among others.’

Financial help

The Dutch cabinet has already agreed that growers affected by the boycott and transport firms can apply for financial help to reduce the impact of shorter working hours on their staff.

Dutch farming association LTO Nederland welcomed the European move, saying it is a powerful signal to the market.

‘No one wants the market to be flooded with produce,’ said chairman Albert Jan Maat. ‘We are finding suitable solutions by working together with organisation such as the food banks.’