Farming unions pressing European Commission on dairy support

 “Political lobbying is an on-going, often behind the scenes, task – and it is one where success can never be certain."
“Political lobbying is an on-going, often behind the scenes, task – and it is one where success can never be certain."

The past twelve months has seen intense lobbying on dairy issues by the UFU in London, Brussels and with other farm lobby organisations.

Its key demand has been for a review of the price at which the European Commission must begin supporting the market through intervention.

This is currently around 17 pence a litre – an unrealistic figure set in 2005 and not changed in a 2008 review. The need for a review was first highlighted by the UFU – a cause now picked up by farm lobby groups elsewhere.

Dairy committee chairman, Jonathan Moore, admits lobbying is an often frustrating experience.

“Like farmers we know what is needed. We cannot control the weak euro, which is making a bad situation worse; we cannot deliver the global cut in milk production that is needed. What we can do is continue pressing the European Commission to recognise the failings of its intervention support mechanism – and we will continue applying that pressure at every opportunity,” said Mr Moore.

He added that it was frustrating not to make more progress in Brussels and accused the European Commission, and the farm commissioner, Phil Hogan, of being in denial about the scale of the crisis facing the European dairy industry.

“Political lobbying is an on-going, often behind the scenes, task – and it is one where success can never be certain. However we have worked hard at this, and will continue assembling allies and pressing Brussels to do what we know is right for the industry here and elsewhere in Europe,” he said.

The UFU have continued to engage with the banks to discuss with them the significant down turn in farm gate prices and to highlight cash flow difficulties on many farms.

“They have assured us of their commitment to continue to work with farmers on this issue and we want to remind farmers that if they are experiencing financial difficulties they need to speak with their bank and see what products are available to help ease cash flow problems,” said Mr Moore.

The UFU has published a summary of its lobbying activities over the past year specifically in dairying.