Brussels, 10/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 9 July, representatives of the EU member states in the management committee backed a proposal to extend the private storage aid scheme for butter until 28 February 2010. Producers who cannot sell their butter, or who do not wish to do so because prices are too low, will be eligible for subsidies to store the butter until prices on the market rise.
Private storage is usually possible from 1 January until 15 August. Regulation 1182/2008 on conditions for private storage aid will, then, have to be amended to extend the measure until 28 February 2010. Producers involved will receive a single payment of €15.62 per tonne, and €0.44 per tonne per day for refrigerated storage costs. The Commission must still formally adopt this text for it to come into force.
At the same time, the Commission has just proposed to extend the intervention period for butter and milk powder (see article on Council of 13 July and EUROPE 9938). (L.C./transl.rt)