SPANISH CUCUMBERS ARE INNOCENT!

Spain has suffered terribly these past few days after rumours, that began in Germany, spread that the cause of an outbreak of the E-Coli disease there, had begun in Spain.

For a country so know for its metioculous attention to detail, experts in Germany got it all wrong. Days later health and agriculture 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 vegetables grown across Spain 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 livelihoods of farmers and growers, particularly in southern Spain, had been devastated. 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 improving an initial compensation offer that covered only 30% of the losses incurred by farmers in Spain. It 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 pounds) “substantial and balanced.”

But those who represent the growers said this was not enough and only amounts to a derisory “handout.” They say 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.