Allister responds to latest milk auction results
27 February 2009
“The outcome of February’s milk auction will come as another blow to local dairy farmers, the fifth consecutive month that auction prices have been below what the market requires to give a decent return.”
“On foot of this, I have communicated afresh with the European Agriculture Commissioner to urge the Commission to take more decisive action on the level at which export refunds are set, particularly in relation to whole milk powders. Furthermore, I have asked the Commission to fully represent the interests of European producers against the offloading of massive amounts of excess milk powders onto the World market by Fonterra. This ‘dumping’ strategy is disrupting normal trading relations, and as such, must be investigated for its compatibility with New Zealand’s obligations under WTO”.
ENDS
