Despite several Member States requesting measures to support the dairy sector (voluntary reduction in production, private storage), European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen stressed during the ‘Agriculture’ Council on Tuesday, 26 May, that his department has been monitoring market developments closely, claiming to be ready to intervene if necessary (see EUROPE 13871/21).
Raw milk prices in the EU have been falling since last autumn and currently stand at around 43 cents per kilo. “I am aware”, Mr Hansen admitted, “that prices are particularly low in Lithuania”.
Mr Hansen added that certain indications suggest that the market might have now bottomed out—believing stabilisation at this time of year to be a “good signal”.
The commissioner noted the initial good news: several dairies in Europe announcing slightly higher milk prices for farmers in April and May.
The European Commission will continue to follow market developments very closely and is prepared to act if the situation requires it. “You can count on me to provide the necessary relief where it matters most for farmers across the Union and when the market is seriously disturbed,” assured Mr Hansen.
Germany also considered the market to be returning to normal and did not believe any measures were justified at this stage. Conversely, the other ministers who spoke—namely, Lithuania, supported by nearly 20 delegations (https://aeur.eu/f/m1d )—felt that intervention measures were still necessary. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)