Interim Agriculture Minister Vasil Grudev sent on Friday a request to Brussels that an emergency meeting be called to discuss the response to Russia's ban on EU food imports.

The minister believes the decision of Moscow to restrict the import of meat, fish, milk and dairy products, vegetables, fruits and nuts from the bloc should lead to a compensation for producers who are most likely to suffer from the measures.

A "single position" of the EU should be adopted to handle the situation, Grudev insisted, adding the ban would have repercussions for both Bulgarian producers and the European agriculture in general.

According to the Agriculture Ministry's press office, Grudev addressed his letter to Maurizio Martina, the current rotational Chair of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) at the Council of the European Union.

AGRIFISH is a body consisting of agriculture and fisheries ministers of all EU member states.

The Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Finland, Belgium and Estonia have joined Grudev's call, the ministry reports.