Smith welcomes move to introduce private storage aid for butter early

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith has welcomed the decision taken in Brussels to introduce private storage aid for butter two months earlier than usual.

The scheme will take effect from January 1, 2009, instead of its usual start date of March 1 and butter manufactured in December will be eligible for storage.

Mr Smith contacted EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Mariann Fischer Boel last week to express his serious concern about the current weakness in dairy product prices. The minister called on the commissioner to introduce early supports for the sector in order to restore confidence and put a floor under current market prices.