Management of intervention stocks helps boost growth in dairy sector

CAREFUL European Commission management of intervention stocks has helped sustain steady growth in the dairy sector over the past 12 months, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith.

The minister welcomed the latest report from the Commission on the dairy market. He said it was heartening to see the report conclude that the dairy market improved in the second half of 2009 and first half of 2010.

Speaking at the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting, the minister said that he was particularly pleased with the recognition that market support mechanisms at safety net level should continue to play an important role and the undertaking to look at additional mechanisms to address price volatility.

“This is a crucial issue for Ireland and one which we will return to in our upcoming discussions on the CAP after 2013,” Mr Smith said.

“I am also pleased at the explicit acknowledgement that origin labelling could be voluntary. This is a point strongly supported by our stakeholders and accurately reflects the outcome of the high level group discussions.”