MEP Clune urges EU to ease farm-income crisis
Following a meeting with a group of Glanbia farmers from south Kilkenny, the Ireland South MEP said she is supporting a proposal of the EPP group in the European Parliament to add €500m to the emergency support package to help dairy farmers suffering from falling milk prices.
She also wants the commission to increase the intervention price for milk.
“We are saying in the parliament that we need more money to deal with this crisis. It is time for the European Commission to listen to the farmers of Europe and to help,” she said.
“We have amended budget proposals to increase the farm aid package to diary by some €500m. There are a number of factors that continue to impact on the market, such as Russia’s import ban and greater milk production since the abolition of quotas.
“While the focus must be on allowing the EU milk sector break into new markets, we have to provide assistance to struggling farmers in the meantime.
"The next step is these amendments will come before the European Parliament on October 28, and I am hopeful and confident of a positive outcome,” she said.
