(ANSA) - Rome, August 7 - Russia's decision to ban agriculture and food imports for one year from the EU, US, and some other Western countries could cost Italy more than 1 billion euros in lost exports, said Italian Farmers' Association CIA on Thursday.

The ban was put into place as retaliation to sanctions imposed by Western countries over Russia's involvement in the crisis in Ukraine, and involves meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, and dairy products.

In Italy, the banned products make up 10.3% of total annual exports to Russia, representing a value of more than one billion euros of the 10.4 billion euros overall value of Italian exports to Russia in 2013.

"Concern remains high overall for fresh fruit and vegetable exports, which, besides not receiving adequate support in response to the economic crisis, now risk even more damage as a result of the block by Russia," a CIA representative said.

The European Commission will take up the issue in talks on Friday between the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) and COPA-COGECA, lobbying groups representing European farmers.

CIA vice president Antonio Dosi will participate in the talks.

