Killeen Backs Introduction Of Dairy Market Supports

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Tony Killeen TD said this week backed the introduction of supports for the Irish dairy sector in order to restore confidence and put a floor under current market prices.

[ClickPress, Mon Nov 10 2008] Minister Killeen said that the difficult market conditions being experienced by the sector necessitated EU Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel to act decisively and introduce appropriate measures at the earliest possible time.

The Clare T.D.’s comments come after the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, contacted Commissioner Fischer Boel to express his serious concern about the current weakness in dairy product prices.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “During the Health Check negotiations Minister Smith made crystal clear his view that the critical market management mechanisms underpinning the sector must be maintained throughout the transition period to the ending of supply controls in 2015, in order to deal with periods of volatility that could arise.”

He added: “These mechanisms must retain their essential characteristics and should be used when necessary to respond to developments on international markets. The Minister told the Commissioner that now would be an appropriate time to demonstrate responsiveness to difficult market conditions by deploying the market management tools at her disposal.”

Minister Killeen explained that the immediate outlook for the dairy sector necessitated that the Commission acted now to restore confidence in the market and in so doing provide a reassuring signal to stakeholders of its willingness to act decisively when there was a perceptible need in the market.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900

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