European body calls for measures to curb volatility in dairy industry

LONG-term measures to reduce extreme market volatility in the dairy industry and ensure that farmers get a fair return for their produce have been sought from the European Commission.

Copa-Cogeca, the umbrella body for European farmers and agri co-ops, made the call at a meeting in Brussels.

It was responding to recommendations by the Commission’s High Level Group on Milk, set up to find solutions to the crisis which hit dairy producers last year.

Henri Brichart, chairman, Copa-Cogeca Working Party on Milk, stressed the need to maintain existing measures to manage the market.

“We reminded the Commission that they must continue to exercise caution in managing EU dairy stocks, in order to minimise market disruption and contribute to a more stable market situation.

“EU buyers need to pay market prices for EU intervention products which contribute to a sustained increase in milk prices for farmers. The current market situation fully justifies further milk prices increases in the coming months.”

Working Party vice chairman Mansel Raymond said immediate and substantial increases in farm gate prices are urgently needed.

Tommaso Mario Abrate, another Working Party vice chairman, said the long-term sustainability of EU milk production will be better achieved through farmer-owned co-operatives.

Copa-Cogeca has also generally welcomed the vote on priorities for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Secretary-general Pekka Pesonen said it supports the calls made by the MEPs for a CAP which avoids renationalisation and for the maintenance of at least the current EU farm budget.

He said MEPs have also asked for direct payments under the CAP to be kept, which is vital if farmers are to continue providing services and high quality food at reasonable prices to 500 million consumers.

Ireland East Labour MEP Nessa Childers said the reformed CAP must fully recognise and support the role of farmers as key agents in the fight against climate change.

“For Irish farmers, the best strategy to defend the CAP budget is to make sure Irish agriculture continues to work to be part of the solution to climate change.