McGuinness backs ‘struggling to survive’ dairy farming families

MANY farming families are struggling to survive as a result of the dire situation in dairy markets, according to MEP Máiréad McGuinness.

She made the comment to Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel at the European Parliament Agriculture Committee meeting in Brussels.

Ms McGuinness said the determination to abolish milk quotas by 2015 must be matched by firm commitments from the European Commission. These commitments must be to provide strong and effective market support measures for the dairy sector in the event of quota abolition.

Ms McGuinness said: “I am worried about the level of debt and despair on many Irish dairy farms. The Commission is aware of the seriousness of the situation. Yet, despite spending an additional €600 million on dairy market supports since the start of 2009, milk prices remain well below the costs of production.”

Ms McGuinness welcomed indications of an improved market, but regretted that farmers are still receiving historically low prices for milk.

“The dramatic price increase in 2007 was not predicted, nor was the current market slump foreseen. It is clear that we need better ways to forecast and predict market trends, so that our policies reflect and react quickly enough to market volatility.”

Ms McGuinness said this debate is not about who is for or against milk quotas, but about what is best for EU dairy farmers and EU consumers. “Perhaps we need to ask if some form of supply management/control may be necessary to ensure fair prices to producers. This is why the idea of the European Milk Board at least needs to be given due consideration.”