EU to compensate Spanish farmers

Recent events have proved how bad publicity can result in untold damage for those in Spain whose very livelihood depends on the farming and exportation of vegetables. Spain has suffered terribly these past few days after the cause of a virulent outbreak of the E-Coli bacterial disease was wrongly laid at the door of vegetables grown in Spain. In particular, cucumbers. These allegations, which began in Germany, have been proven to have no foundation in truth. For a country so known for its meticulous attention to detail, health officials in Germany got the facts surprisingly wrong. Days later officials in Germany had to admit that cucumbers and tomatoes imported from Spanish growers were NOT the cause of the outbreak of the deadly bacteria.

But, for many farmers in Spain, it was too late. The damage had been done. They could not give away many vegetables grown across the country, and the falsely accused, home grown Spanish cucumber was not wanted anywhere in the world.

This week angry scenes in the European parliament saw Spanish officials demand larger compensation payments for those businesses in Spain that had been hit hard by the falsehoods. The affect on the livelihoods of farmers and growers, particularly in southern Spain, had been devastating. Some growers were put out of business within days. Others found themselves having to throw away tons of perfectly good vegetables.

The European Commission stated Tuesday that, within 24 hours, they will be making an improved compensation offer. The original one only covered 30% of the losses incurred by farmers in Spain. The new improved offer is, however, not expected to cover 100% of losses experienced due to growers having to throw away, or sell very cheaply, not only their cucumbers, but also lettuces and tomatoes.

Agriculture Commissioner, Dacian Ciolos, said that the demands from Spain for full compensation were unrealistic. He said: “We have to remember this is public money, and we have to account for its use.” He called his original offer of 150 million Euros (£134 million pounds) “substantial and balanced.” But those who represent the growers said this was not enough and only amounts to a derisory “handout.” They say that, in provinces such as Granada alone, the loss can be calculated at over 20 million Euros.

The total loss to farmers throughout the EU is estimated at 400 million Euros. Spanish farmers wanted Germany to directly compensate them for their loss but any payment must come from EU central funds. An improved offer to reimburse Spanish growers is expected to be announced in Brussels on Wednesday.