European food processors using cheap imported soft fruit and cherries are facing an attack on these ingredient supplies from the European Parliament.


MEPs have called for the European Commission to introduce unusual protective duties levied where “environmental and social standards in their production [are not] corresponding to those of the European Union.” 


A duty would be imposed “to protect European producers against dumping”, with this revenue financing “rural development projects in the exporting countries concerned”. More positively – for manufacturers  –  MEPs also called for EU-produced “soft fruits such as strawberries, currants, raspberries, gooseberries, sour cherries and sweet cherries” to benefit from “processing aid”.