Stephen Cadogan: EU milk market aid extended into spring

EU farmers have welcomed the Commission’s commitment this week to keep private storage open for butter and skimmed milk powder beyond February.

On Monday, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said the dairy safety net remains necessary. He said most of the problems in global dairy markets are due to world oversupply and lower demand, for example, from China.

Farmers also welcomed the Latvian Presidency priorities to make the new Common Agricultural Policy simpler for farmers and co-operatives, especially the complicated greening rules, and to make headway on EU organic production and labelling plans.

Commissioner Hogan said work on EU school milk and fruit and vegetable schemes is under way and should be completed in the coming weeks.