The European Union has proposed at least 150 million euros ($220 million) in compensation for losses suffered by vegetable farmers amid a deadly E. coli outbreak.
EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said on June 7 following a special meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Luxembourg on June 7 that, in addition to the 150 million euros, more funds are on the way.
Ciolos said he would come back "with an improved proposal, an improvement that will be substantial, balanced and justified."
The outbreak, which has killed 22 people -- all but one in Germany -- has led to an import ban on EU vegetables by Russia, while producers in countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have suffered financial losses due to declining exports.
German authorities now say the source of the outbreak remains unknown, after tests on suspected vegetable sprouts from an organic farm in northern Gemany showed no evidence of the highly aggressive, toxic strain of E. coli.
compiled from agency reports
EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said on June 7 following a special meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Luxembourg on June 7 that, in addition to the 150 million euros, more funds are on the way.
Ciolos said he would come back "with an improved proposal, an improvement that will be substantial, balanced and justified."
The outbreak, which has killed 22 people -- all but one in Germany -- has led to an import ban on EU vegetables by Russia, while producers in countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have suffered financial losses due to declining exports.
German authorities now say the source of the outbreak remains unknown, after tests on suspected vegetable sprouts from an organic farm in northern Gemany showed no evidence of the highly aggressive, toxic strain of E. coli.
compiled from agency reports
