Allister urges Commission to 'go further' on export refunds
25 February 2009
TUV MEP Jim Allister has urged the European Commission to ‘go further’ on export refunds, in his response to the Commission’s increase of refund levels at Thursday’s ManCom meeting.
The MEP commented,
“I welcome the Commission’s recent decision to increase dairy export refunds, particularly in relation to whole milk powder, from 230 Euros per ton to 260 Euros per ton. However, there is a sense that the Commission has had to act in reflection of the worsening dairy market situation which prevails across Europe.”
“The average Farmgate price paid to dairy farmers in Northern Ireland of just 18.59 pence per litre for December milk, compared with an average EU price of 29.78 ppl shows just how difficult current trading conditions are. Clearly, export refunds at their current level are failing to achieve the desired effect of enabling EU product to compete on the World market, and thus deliver a sustainable return. Compounding the problem is the destabilising effect which prevails around large stockpiles of milk powders in New Zealand. On this particular issue, I have asked the Commission to clarify whether the offloading of milk powders from New Zealand is indeed compatible with its obligations under the World Trade Organisation, in light of the damaging effect this is having on the World market.”
ENDS
