COPA-COGECA DISAPPOINTED BY LACK OF ACTION AT FCopa-Cogeca was disappointed today that the EU Commission failed to propose further action to help solve the crisis facing EU dairy farmers and urged EU politicians to urgently agree on measures at EU Farm Ministers next meeting later this month.

Speaking after Ministers extra meeting arranged by the Swedish Presidency today, Padraig Walshe, Copa’s President said “ I regret that Farm Ministers failed to take any further political decisions today to help improve the drastic situation in the EU dairy sector. Milk prices have plummeted to the same level as in 1992 and many farmers are facing bankruptcy. I consequently urge Ministers to rapidly agree on strong market measures, especially in public intervention and in export refunds on dairy produce, at the their next meeting in Luxembourg to help solve the crisis. Without any further action, dairy farmers will lose over 14 billion euros in turnover before the end of the year. I also want to ensure that the market is properly regulated, to reduce retailers excessive powers, and that imports to the EU respect the same standards that EU producers have to face”.

Copa-Cogeca nevertheless welcomes the Commisison’s initiative to launch a debate on the future of the EU dairy sector, but insist that our experts must be represented in the working group which will be set up to debate this.

Amanda Cheesley

Press Officer

Copa­-Cogeca

WWW.copa-cogeca.eu

Tel. : + 32 (0)2 287 27 90

Mobile +32 (0) 474 84 08 36

Amanda.cheesley@copa-cogeca.eu