EU agricultural ministers to discuss pressures facing dairy producers

THE critical dairy market situation is to be discussed at a meeting of European Union agriculture ministers which begins in Luxembourg today and continues tomorrow.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said contact had again been made with the Commission and other member states in advance of the meeting. “Dairy producers and processors are under extreme pressure due to low prices, and dairy farmers in Ireland are receiving a price for milk that is below their cost of production.

“It was important, therefore, notwithstanding the measures already taken by the Commission, that the Council again addresses the issue.”