Ministry officials, farmers meet to discuss compensation

The repercussions of a Russian food embargo on Greek producers, and some 20 to 30 million euros in anticipated compensation from the European Commission, were the focus of talks on Tuesday under Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas.

Officials from several other ministries attended the meeting as did farmers and representatives of road haulage firms who have also been hit by the ban.

The main topic of discussion was the aid that peach and nectarine producers hope to get from Brussels where officials are to meet on Friday and take decisions on compensation for farmers in various EU member states.

Another matter that was discussed was what to do with thousands of tons of produce that is sitting in refrigerators following the cancellation of orders form Russian firms.

According to sources, Greek peach producers are seeking compensation of 25 cents for every kilogram of lost produce. The farmers were to meet later on Tuesday with Fotis Kouvelis, the head of Democratic Left and with the leader of the main leftist opposition SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras.