Brussels, 19/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - Farmers turned up in Brussels en masse to protest against their collapsing incomes. The demonstrators, however, who included milk and dairy product producers mainly from Germany, France and Belgium, gained meagre consolation. In conclusions adopted on Friday 19 June, the European Council “invited the Commission to present an in-depth market analysis within the next two months, including possible options for stabilising the dairy market”. To reassure some countries, however, the European Council adds that such possibilities should “respect the outcome of the Common Agricultural Policy health check”. The European Council also confirms having discussed (at Germany's request) “the current situation on the dairy market”.
At the end of the European Council, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, said: “Many member states have said the price of milk is a problem. We have therefore called on the Commission to carry out an in-depth analysis of the market in the next two months, and to present options for stabilising the dairy market. We have stressed that we do not have much time, and I am pleased that we have managed [to get our point across]”.
EU member state agriculture ministers will discuss this dossier again on Monday 22 June, in Luxembourg. In the meantime, protests in the street show no sign of easing. COPA (Committee of Agricultural Organisations in the EU) and COGECA (General Committee of Agricultural Cooperatives in the EU) had invited the heads of state and government to set clear political guidelines for addressing the crisis in the dairy sector.
Padraig Walshe, COPA President, explained that European milk producers are going through a “severe economic crisis”. “Demand for dairy products has fallen abruptly across the whole of the EU. Our dairy sector cannot adapt in such a short time. Prices for famers have fallen to their lowest level in recent history, in some countries to those of 1983. To make matters worse, production costs have remained at an all-time high. This is disastrous for farm incomes, endangering the very existence of dairy production in the EU”, Mr Walshe said sounding a note of caution.
Problems seem to be taking over other sectors also. COPA and COGECA announced that a major demonstration of farmers from all EU countries would be held during the next Agriculture Council on Monday 22 June in Luxembourg. The pigmeat, sheep and goat and olive oil sectors are also in difficulty, according to the EU agricultural organisations. The demonstration will be held from 1.00pm to 3.00pm in front of the building where the ministers are to meet in Luxembourg. (L.C./transl.jl)