Crisis in the dairy farming sector (Midlothian Liberal Democrats)

Midlothian Liberal Democrats <laird.ross@btinternet.com>

Crisis in the dairy farming sector

September 17, 2009 12:00 AM
By George Lyon MEP in the European Parliament, Strasbourg
Originally published by George Lyon - Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland

Mr President, Commissioner, Colleagues

Milk producers across Europe are facing a crisis caused by fallen demand due to recession and increased production in third Countries.

And, we must act to alleviate their pain.

But, let me make it very clear, going back to milk lakes, super levy and quotas is the wrong road for our dairy industry to go down.

This is a short term crisis which requires short term actions by the Commission as outlined in the Resolution.

For too long, European Consumers have paid for a dysfunctional Agricultural Policy which has failed both farmers and consumers.

So, this crisis should not be used as an excuse to turn our backs on the road to further reform and Liberalisation of the CAP, and, that is why we have laid amendments to this effect.

We want to see the Commission focus on sorting out the Market which is clearly failing.

Consumers are losing out as they fail to get the benefits from the fall in milk prices.

Farmers are losing out because they do not receive their fair share of the retail milk price.

We welcome the Commission's investigations into the food chain. But, we want the Commissioner to go further.

Will she commit to action that will root out Supermarket abuse of their monopoly positions? Will she commit to competitive markets that allow producers a fair share of the cake? And will she commit to a functional milk market that gives a fair deal to farmers and a fair price for Consumers?

Commissioner, I would ask you in your response to this debate to outline what action you have taken to date to help solve the crisis and what further action you intend to take.

I ask you to give us a commitment that the Commission will not be blown off course in its drive for further reform of the CAP.