EU boosts aid to farmers hit by Russia sanctions

European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen speaks to reporters during a news conference at the European Commission office in Athens, April 23, 2015. REUTERS/Kostas Tsironis

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission announced a 500 million euro (365 million pound) package of measures on Monday to provide relief for farmers stung by slumping prices triggered partly by the loss of exports to Russia due to EU sanctions against the country.

The crisis has triggered a wave of protests which culminated on Monday with nearly 5,000 farmers and more than 1,000 tractors arriving in Brussels, where an emergency meeting of the EU's Agriculture Council was being held.