New EU aid measures adjustable for each state
He said doubling the dairy intervention ceiling is very significant — along with EU Commissioner Phil Hogan’s undertaking to consider further support for the pigmeat sector, further market support for skimmed milk powder, and further flexibilities in state aids to farmers.
He said he has asked the commission to consider temporary suspension of import tariffs on fertiliser, which would save farmers over €1bn in unnecessary input costs, according to a report commissioned by IFA.
IFA chairman Jer Bergin welcomed doubling of EU dairy intervention ceilings, cheese private storage scheme flexibility, a new export credit insurance model, and a commitment to fund increased EU exports promotions.
He urged Mir Coveney to use a proposed temporary increase allowing EU member state aid of up to €15,000 per year per farmer to advance IFA’s taxation proposals to deal with income volatility.
Mr Hogan told the Council of Agriculture Ministers the measures are highly adjustable for each member state.
