PM Says Romanian Produce Is Safe

The prime minister said he ate and continues to eat cucumbers despite the situation caused by the E.coli bacterium. He added the Agriculture Ministry will grant compensation to vegetable growers for losses suffered following the E.coli outbreak in Europe.

Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara said recently cucumber producers will receive up to EUR247,200 as partial reimbursement for their losses of around EUR9 million. The aid amounts to 4.6% of the value of last year’s sales, but no more than a third of the producers’ expenses during the period of estimated losses.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos told MEDIAFAX Tuesday compensation for losses will range between 41.9% and 67.7% of the EU average price of cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce in June between 2007 and 2010.

According to Ciolos, the aid will vary considering the type of produce and will be granted to Romanian vegetable growers who are members of agricultural associations, while independent farmers will receive a smaller amount of money from the European emergency fund.