27/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - In conclusions adopted without debate on Monday 27 October 2008 on Special Report 4/2008 of the European Court of Auditors on the implementation of milk quotas in the member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004, the EU Council of Ministers notes “that most of the shortcomings noted are intrinsic to the system's start-up phase”. The Council “welcomes the significant improvements that the member states have introduced in years subsequent to the Court's enquiry to address the teething problems encountered in early years” and “underlines that as a result of the enlargement, milk products have been traded more widely without destabilising the European market and without leading to budgetary drift”. (L.C./transl.fl)