Crisis in the dairy sector - Fernand Etgen calls for "a European solution based on strong solidarity between States and all European producers"
The Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protection Fernand Etgen at the press conference on 1 September 2015
On 1 September 2015, Fernand Etgen, the Luxembourg Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protections, who is currently chairing the EU's Agriculture Council, held a press conference following a meeting with dairy producers, farmers' unions and Luxembourg dairies.
"We agree on the fact that several agricultural sectors are experiencing major difficulties", declared the Minister, in reference to the milk and pig-meat sectors. According to him, the crisis in the dairy sector is a result of a combination of several factors: the Russian embargo on European agri-food products, Chinese demand, which is lower than expected, and the increase in dairy production in Europe and in countries such as New Zealand and Australia.
In order to tackle this crisis, the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union has called an extraordinary meeting of the Agriculture Council which will be held on 7 September 2015. "A European solution is needed based on strong solidarity between States and between all European producers", explained the Minister. "It is too early to announce concrete measures", he continued, before indicating that the Luxembourg Presidency will do "its utmost" to ensure that a "clear signal" is sent during the Council on 7 September.
"We are trying to reach a consensus with the Commission and Member States, as much on a political level as on a technical level", explained the Minister. The Commission, which has the right of initiative in this field, should propose a package of measures. For Fernand Etgen, the aim, above all, is to find short and long-term solutions with a view to guaranteeing greater "balance", "stability" and"planning security" for European agriculture.
Fernand Etgen rejected the idea of reintroducing milk quotas. For him, attention should be paid to the use of market tools provided for in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). "Farmers do not necessarily want lots of subsidies, but a milk price which is fair and which allows them to cover their production costs", concluded the Minister, who deems that it is a "legitimate" demand.
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