Agriculture ministers from 21 of the 28 member states meeting in Brussels at the beginning of the week called for more aid funds to be made available to farmers facing hardship as a result of the ongoing Russian trade embargo.

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However, these funds have come out of a crisis pot, which has been severely depleted, and ministers are asking for money from other sources to go to support the EU's producers.    

In the meeting on Monday, ministers attending the Agriculture and Fisheries Council expressed concern with the way CAP funds had been allocated by the Commission. At the request of the Greek delegation, the Council debated the possibility of additional measures for growers whose businesses have been affected.

The Greek delegation argued that emergency market measures employed to help peach and nectarine growers, which were then expanded to cover fruit and vegetables, have not done enough to mitigate the severe effects of the Russian ban.

The EU has already spent 344.3 million of the €433 million set aside in the agricultural crisis fund, which was introduced as part of the new Common Agricultural Policy.

Also on Monday, France's representatives, backed by those of 20 other states, argued for the crisis fund to be preserved for its intended purpose – a collapse in prices or problem of oversupply. The UK government was one of seven that declined to back the calls.

French minister Stephane LeFoll and his supporters took their appeal to the Italian presidency. 

On Wednesday, EU farm lobby group Copa-Cogeca welcomed ministers' demands as "A step in the right direction." Copa said the 21 farm ministers had displayed "strong support" in urging the Commission not to allow any "Cuts [to] EU agriculture expenditure next year."

The group's Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stressed, "Prices have plummeted by up to 50% in some sectors. It is totally unacceptable that the Commission proposed to cut spending in 2015 when no support has even yet been allocated to the EU pigmeat sector and when the Russian market has been closed since January."

Pesonen also expressed support for "Commissioner Hogans' aim to introduce measures to support the sector providing sufficient funding is available," and added, "We urge the College of Commissioners next Wednesday to ensure funds are provided."