Luxembourg, 19/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 19 October, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted without debate the regulation to extend, until 2010, public intervention for butter and powdered skimmed milk. Against the backdrop of the current crisis in the sector, this is a derogation to the current rules to extend this market measure beyond 31 August 2009. In line with article 11 of regulation 1234/2007 on the common market organisation of the agricultural sector, the public intervention period for these two products runs from 1 March to 31 August. Furthermore, the regulation provides that "when market prices risk falling considerably, disturbing or threatening to disturb the market", the Commission is authorised to extend public intervention for butter and skimmed milk beyond 31 August 2010, if necessary until 28 February 2011. (L.C./trans.fl)