Minister to set up consultative group to advise on dairy sector
The move follows last Monday’s special meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels where there was a full discussion on the need for measures to manage the dairy market in the period up to quota abolition in 2015 and beyond.
Mr Smith welcomed Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel’s decision to establish a high level group to consider a range of options for the future.
It will be chaired by the European Commission’s Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Jean-Luc Demarty, and will be composed of member state representatives. It will hold its first meeting next Tuesday and will meet once a month.
Mr Smith said the high level group will be addressing a range of issues.
It will specifically examine medium term and long term ways of stabilising dairy farmers’ incomes and improving market transparency.
In its work towards delivering a comprehensive report by June 2010, it will examine means through which contractual arrangements in the supply chain can contribute to the highest possible returns for producers.
Mr Smith said here at home he was also anxious to establish a consultative group so that he could hear the views of experts on issues emerging at the high level group.
Mr Smith said he will be asking the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, Macra na Feirme, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, the Irish Dairy Industries Association and the Irish Dairy Board to nominate representatives to the consultative group.
Teagasc and academic interests will also be invited to participate.
* Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has announced that Ireland is 9% under quota when account is taken of the butterfat content of estimated milk deliveries up to August 31.
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