Killer bacterium, EU offers aid for 150 million to farmers

The European Commission has proposed to release aid of around 150 million euros in favor of fruit and vegetable producers who are facing huge economic losses due to the E.coli bacterium (22 deaths in Europe). Meanwhile this morning Coldiretti has called a demonstration in Fondi (Latina): the organization estimates "damages of 100 million euros to the made in Italy food industry - reads a statement - following the collapse of exports and the drop in consumption on the market which unfortunately are destined to continue also in the next few days”.
On the epidemiological front, meanwhile, German scientists found no traces of E.coli on the farm believed to be the source of the outbreak, but added that this did not mean their suspicions were wrong.
Though initial lab tests on bean sprouts were negative, German officials said they weren't surprised since any contaminated products may have been around for a long time. "It is an important track, however," said the federal minister for agriculture, Ilse Aigner, who reiterated the warning to consumers, inviting them not to eat bean sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.