The European Union plans to implement a faster market monitoring service and new stabilization measures for fruits and vegetables, after meetings to discuss the potential impacts from Russia's ban on some of the community's agricultural products.

EU Agriculture & Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Cioloș.

EU Agriculture & Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Cioloș made the announcement today after a "useful exchange of views" with member state experts.

"First, as of early next week, I will come forward with the next market stabilisation measure, targeting a number of perishable fruit and vegetable products which are now clearly in difficulty. This action will be proportionate and cost effective," Cioloș said in a release.

"Secondly, this exceptional situation we face as a result of Russia's ban requires faster and better access to market data, sector by sector.

"That is why we are putting in place as of today a reinforced market monitoring mechanism to which all Member States will contribute. Meetings with Member States will take place on a weekly basis, for a period as long as necessary."

Readers can visit our Russian Ban tag page for further updates on the issue.

The commissioner emphasized he was prepared to propose EU wide measures "as and when needed".

"Producers from across the EU can be reassured. We are following every sector and every market and as material risks emerge, I will act.

"Through the reformed Common Agriculture Policy we have the budgetary and legal instruments for European action together with the Member States; market confidence through European solidarity is the overriding objective."

During today's meeting, the commission presented a preliminary analysis of the impacts of Russia's measures on fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat products.

The conclusion was that the situation was "most urgent" for certain perishable vegetables hit by the ban, where the season had already begun and a key export market had "suddently disappeared" with no immediate prospect of an obvious alternative.

The commission plans to come forward with appropriate new measures at the beginning of next week.

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