Besluitpunt "COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL ­ DAIRY MARKET SITUATION 2009"

Ms FISCHER BOEL spoke of the current difficulties in the dairy market, stressing the particularly sensitive nature of this issue.

Referring to the recent measures taken by the Commission to improve the situation of dairy producers in the short term, she said that today's communication was the Commission's response to the European Council's request in June for an analysis of the dairy market.

The European Council's invitation made clear reference to the need to respect the conclusions of the Common Agricultural Policy "Health Check", thereby determining the short- term implications of the measures to stabilise the market.

She pointed out that it was not the aim of the communication to provide ready-made PV(2009)1883 final (22 July 2009) PV(2009)1883 final 23 solutions to the problems identified, which were complex and largely connected with the economic and financial crisis.

It would therefore be unwise to raise unrealistically high expectations on the part of certain producers, most of whom supported the approach recommended by the Commission.

She opposed any change in the milk quota management system and stressed the options put forward in the proposed document, particularly as regards state aid in the agricultural sector.

Concerning the question of food price formation, in principle a survey on this issue was to be presented in the autumn.

She laid particular emphasis on the importance of sending dairy producers a clear and unambiguous message while bearing in mind the very difficult context which had given rise to the crisis in this market.

She referred in particular to young farmers who had invested hugely in financial and human terms in their businesses and who were now in an extremely vulnerable situation.

Ms FISCHER BOEL concluded by saying that the Commission would remain vigilant concerning this sensitive issue, that it would use the means and instruments available to improve the situation as much as possible in the short term and was collaborating fully with the Member States.

Following this presentation, the Commission approved the communication set out in COM(2009)385/4, for transmission to Parliament and the Council, and to the national parliaments, together with the related technical Annex in staff paper SEC(2009)1050/2, the contents of which were noted.