UK MEP says Germans should foot the bill for E.coli compensation

The EU’s decision to compensate European salad and vegetable farmers for the economic effects of the E.coli outbreak, which has landed Britain with a £23 million bill has drawn heavy fire from the UK Independence Party’s agriculture spokesman, Norfolk farmer Stuart Agnew MEP.

Mr Agnew said: "This economically disastrous panic was caused by ill-judged statements from German authorities, who jumped the gun. It has been devastating for Spanish farmers, it is having the same effect on German farmers and there is an inevitable knock-on effect on British salad and vegetable producers. The responsibility is Germany’s and the costs should be met by them, particularly as they are one of the most prosperous countries in the EU. There is no way that British taxpayers should have to fork out to repair the damage caused by loose-lipped German officials."

Just one day after announcing a £135 million compensation package for European salad and vegetable farmers, the EU has raised the figure to £187 million, of which cash-strapped Britain will have to contribute £23 million.