The UFU has maintained its position on the use of a voluntary milk supply control scheme in the EU.
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The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has maintained its position of not supporting a voluntary milk reduction scheme for co-ops that was proposed by the European Commission in March.
Speaking after a meeting of European farmer organisation group Copa-Cogeca in the Netherlands, UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said that the union was aware that discussions were ongoing in several member states at both government and industry level on the option of reducing milk production.
“From the outset, the UFU’s position has been that any voluntary reduction in production scheme would have to be operated EU-wide and with an assured programme of funding if it were to have any prospect of delivering a meaningful outcome and this is no different now,” said Ferguson.
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On Monday, Irish Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed also opposed calls for organised milk production cuts at an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers stating that it would benefit competitors outside Europe.
Last week, in the European Parliament, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said that the skimmed milk powder intervention ceiling would increase from 218,000t to 350,000t. Intervention is Europe’s best market for milk. He said: “Producers have to take their share of responsibility in terms of bringing about balance in the marketplace between demand and supply.”
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The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has maintained its position of not supporting a voluntary milk reduction scheme for co-ops that was proposed by the European Commission in March.
Speaking after a meeting of European farmer organisation group Copa-Cogeca in the Netherlands, UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said that the union was aware that discussions were ongoing in several member states at both government and industry level on the option of reducing milk production.
“From the outset, the UFU’s position has been that any voluntary reduction in production scheme would have to be operated EU-wide and with an assured programme of funding if it were to have any prospect of delivering a meaningful outcome and this is no different now,” said Ferguson.
On Monday, Irish Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed also opposed calls for organised milk production cuts at an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers stating that it would benefit competitors outside Europe.
Last week, in the European Parliament, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said that the skimmed milk powder intervention ceiling would increase from 218,000t to 350,000t. Intervention is Europe’s best market for milk. He said: “Producers have to take their share of responsibility in terms of bringing about balance in the marketplace between demand and supply.”
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