The European Commission will extend the safety net measures for dairy, fruit and vegetables sectors into 2016, in order to support farmers most affected by the Russian ban.
The measures for fruit and vegetables, including peaches and nectarines, are planned to be extended until 30 June 2016.
Measures include withdrawal of produce for free distribution of fruit and vegetables to charitable organisations, and for other purposes such as animal feed, composting, distillation, as well as the so called 'non-harvesting' and ' green harvesting'.
Fruits and vegetables not exceeding 3,000 tons could be withdrawn from the market in all Member States in a bid to stabilise the market, and allocate these quantities to EU countries that have exported significant quantities to Russia over the past three years.
To be extended until 29 February 2016, the dairy sector measures include public buying-in (intervention) and private storage aid for butter and skimmed milk powder (SMP). These will come to an end on 30 September.
Commissioner Phil Hogan said: "The significant actions taken to date by the European Union have demonstrated the solidarity of the EU with farmers most affected by the Russian ban. These actions also played an important part in mitigating the effects of the ban.
"Now, almost a year later, with the ban prolonged, we need to continue to provide a safety net in order to give security to producers who continue to face difficulties in relation to the ban."
The Commission plans to formally adopt the relevant legal decisions in the coming weeks.
