EU 'optimistic' over soil quality following E. coli outbreak

Leaders of the EU are said to be "moderately optimistic" about the fruit and vegetable markets, after soil quality in Germany was brought under the microscope.

Ministers met in Luxembourg this week to discuss the recent outbreak of E. coli in the country that took the lives of 14 people.

It had been feared that agricultural workers would be badly affected, as many consumers would be put off buying fresh produce due to the scare.

However, the EU representatives claimed that vegetable sales have increased in the second half of June 2011.

Minister for rural development Sandor Fazekas suggested that "the market crisis may be over".

"We have found that an infection was unfortunately set in, but our food security system has fortunately worked efficiently," he added.

Last week, the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urged British farmers to claim compensation from the EU for any loss of earnings, with agriculture minister Jim Paice stating that salad growers are facing a tough time anyway.

Posted by Joseph Hutton