Latvian milk producers affected by the Russian embargo, threaten protests in Brussels, if you don't receive the promised financial assistance from the EU. This was stated by the Chairman of the organization of selskohozaystvennih "Peasant Sejm" Juris Lazdins.

"Protest is one of the tools that Latvian milk producers heard at the European level", - he noted. "This is an awkward situation. Selskohozyaistvenniy always follow all the rules of the European Union, and Europe on their promises is not going to perform. From the new EU Commissioner for agriculture, we expect fast action, not only beautiful, but material support", - he said.

In addition, the Latvian Council of agricultural organizations (LCSHE) and non-governmental organizations of peasants sent to the European Commission (EC), the Seimas of the Republic, and President Andris Berzins and Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma letter urging him to expedite the decision on the allocation of the promised payment to the milk producers.

How Latvia loses on penalties

"Purchasing prices for milk after the introduction of Russian sanctions, compared with July of this year, fell by 25%on average. Estimates of benzamidine, Russian sanctions for the period from August to December will cause Latvian producers of milk losses in total 20.9 million", - said the representative of LSCHE Krista Garkalne. "In Brussels must understand that Latvia is Borderlands of Russia, so to Latvian farmers embargo acts much stronger", - emphasized for its part, the Board member of this organization Sandra Stricke.

August 7, Russia announced a complete ban on the export of beef, pork, vegetables and fruits, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products from the EU countries, Australia, Canada, Norway and the USA. This decision was a response to the sanctions that the West has imposed on Russia because of the events in Ukraine.

As stated previously Straujuma, Russia imposed an embargo on food imports from the European Union will cause the Republic of damages in the amount of 55 million euros. Most affected the dairy industry, its losses amounted to 24 million euros. The government had earlier decided to allocate to the affected producers and processors of milk 6 million euros in compensation for the loss.

Evaluation of the European Commission, the Russian embargo has affected 4.2% of total exports 28 EU countries for a total amount of 5 billion euros.

Compensation of the EU

On Thursday, the EC issued a statement which said that the EU has allocated an additional 39 million in support for European farmers.

"The EC today approved 27 programs for the promotion of agricultural products in the European Union and third countries. The total budget for these programs will make up 77.4 million euros, of which the EU allocates now 39 million", - the document says.

Funds will be used for promotion in the EU and third countries of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat products.