The European Union voiced support on Monday (14 March) for temporary cuts in milk production by farmers in member states in a bid to reverse the plunge in prices that has shaken the dairy industry.
The European Commission, the executive of the 28-nation bloc, said it would soon send member states the proposal which is required as an emergency exception to rules guaranteeing economic competition.
Overproduction of milk since EU quotas were abolished in April 2015 triggered a collapse in prices that have not recovered despite a €500 million aid package announced in September.
“I am prepared to propose the application of such rules whereby the Commission… would decide to permit on a temporary basis such voluntary agreements for the dairy sector,” EU agriculture commissioner Phil Hogan told a crisis meeting of agriculture ministers in Brussels greeted by scores of protesting farmers.
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