The European Parliament proposals for the introduction of a system of voluntary production cuts in the event of a crisis as well as for the setting up of a European Food Price Monitoring Tool fell through following the opposition of several Ministers for Agriculture and the European Commission.
Romuald Schaber, the President of the European Milk Board (EMB), the association representing milk producer organisations in Europe, declared concerning the results of the trialogue that "Once again the chance was missed to make dairy markets in Europe more resistant to crises thanks to efficient and cost-effective instruments. Unfortunately, the elements in the political agreement which might have a positive effect, i.e. the strengthening of the role of producer organisations in times of crises, are not sufficient for this purpose."
Romuald Schaber also deplored that "The colleagues all over Europe are again put off until later. In September, the European Commission plans yet another large and important conference in Brussels, during which a debate will take place on the situation on the milk market and which might then lead to additional measures. But the political decision-makers eventually need to understand that European dairy farmers can no longer wait. The abolition of milk quotas in 2015 is just around the corner and despite the slight increase in milk prices the situation is still dramatic for many farms. Milk producers thus are left with no other choice than to hope that the conference in September will finally give the decisive impetus and that it will not be too late. After all, it is the long-term survival of an entire profession in Europe that is at stake."
The European Milk Board (EMB) is a European umbrella association representing 19 milk producer organisations from 14 European countries and a total of approximately 100.000 dairy farmers. Around 75% of the milk volume in Europe is produced in its member states.
