(Brussels, 29th August 2016) The aid package adopted in July marks a turning point in the EU milk policy. After several failed attempts, the measures for voluntary production cuts finally focus on the production side. This week, the EU Commission finalised the details of the aid package.
The restraint on supply – a demand which the EMB has been presenting to EU politicians and national Ministers of Agriculture for years – is a crucial factor in countering overproduction and a collapse in prices. Romuald Schaber, President of the European Milk Board, is relieved that with the restraint on supply EU policy-makers have finally given dairy farmers a potential instrument. “We welcome the measures adopted by the EU Commission and Ministers of Agriculture.” Although the concrete drafting of the measures could be improved, they do represent a step forwards for dairy farmers, he says. The European Milk Board regrets above all the lacking systematic European-wide implementation of the production cuts and an adequate budget. Schaber continues: “One stumbling block is that the production volumes of all EU Member States are not capped during the reduction period, and that the compensation payments are very low.”
“It is now even more important for the Member States to also apply the funds from the 350-million-euro package for additional reductions in volume, so as to enable an impact on the milk market.” Europe needs its farmers! A rapid rise in milk prices is indispensable for the survival of European farms.
Contacts:
EMB President Romuald Schaber (DE): +49 (0)160 352 4703
EMB Press Officer Silvia Däberitz (DE, EN, FR): +32 (2)808 1936
