DII welcome for belated EU moves to support the dairy market

Dairy industry Ireland (DII) today welcomed the official confirmation by the EU Commission that a package is coming covering;

• Private storage aid (PSA) for dairy covering skimmed milk powder, butter, cheese.
• Flexibility for market support programmes.
• Exceptional derogation from EU competition rules.

DII understands the package for dairy specifically will have be in the region of €30 million and details will be announced tomorrow by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. There will be further measures for other sectors such as beef and lamb.

Commenting, DII Director Conor Mulvihill, said: “DII has been consistency lobbying for an extended time for measures and had recently sent the ‘The report ‘The Potential Impact of COVID-19 on the Irish Dairy Industry’ conducted by business advisory firm EY to the Commission to give empirical support for our arguments.

“The report highlighted in stark terms the threat facing the Irish dairy processing industry as well as farmers and the rural economy without national and EU supports.

“We look forward to working with Minister Creed and his team in DAFM on implementing the package to help protect businesses and their suppliers.”