Mr Walshe also stated that the EU Commission have prevented markets from falling further but that dairy farmers need to see a rise in diary prices. With consumers still paying high prices but with the profits going to the retailer at the expense of the producer. He further added that the EU Commission must begin to regulate the retail sector in order to secure fair trading conditions for food processors, value for money for consumers while providing a fair price to the producers. He urged the Commission to draft proposals for the creation of a legally binding Code Of Practice for the retailers which would be enforceable by an ombudsman.

“I am quite clear that it is because of our campaign at national and EU level on behalf of dairy farmers that the additional dairy supports to be announced by the Commission have been brought forward to 22nd July next. These measures must include a reduction in the minimum price of cheese above which it is eligible for export refunds. This would allow significant additional quantities of commodity cheeses such as Gouda or Cheddar to be exported outside of the EU and would help in no small way to rebalance EU dairy markets. The Commission must also be more aggressive and creative in its use of market supports particularly export refunds, extended intervention and private storage, careful management of stocks and processing aids.”

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