In December 2010 European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos presented the so-called “milk package” with measures to improve the functioning of the milk market. This package contains in particular proposals concerning the pooling of producers, the introduction of mandatory contracts as well as the creation of professional organisations for the sector.

We would like to invite you most warmly to the EMB press conference where these measures will be assessed:

Date: January 21sth, 2011 from 12:00 till 13:00

Place: Room B of the Press Centre in Hall 6.3 on the exhibition grounds in Berlin (Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin)

At this press conference the board members of the European Milk Board (EMB) who represent seven European countries will analyse the proposals of the European Commission in detail and provide answers to questions such as:

•    Are producers strengthened by these proposals so that they can negotiate on an equal footing?

•    Are producers able to obtain cost-covering prices?

•    What is the position of cooperatives on the market?

•    How do we have to change the proposals to prevent a milk crisis from reoccurring?

Background

After two dramatic years with tremendous financial losses for milk producers the milk prices have slightly recovered. There is, however, no reason to give an all-clear. On the one hand production costs are once more increasing disproportionately and undo the modest improvements on the income side.  On the other hand neither at the European nor at the national level measures were taken to prevent another failure of the market.

Contact:
EMB press office: Silvia Däberitz (DE, EN, ES): 0049 2381 4361200