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The group of the European People’s Party (EPP) has outlined its proposals to the European Commission to tackle the current farm income crisis.
Among the recommendations were EU-wide compulsory and non-bureaucratic measures to reduce milk production on a temporary basis.
EPP is the largest group in the European Parliament and includes Fine Gael.
However, Fine Gael’s Agriculture Minister Michael Creed previously opposed milk production cuts. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, he said: "There is no solution in supply-side control.”
The EPP group also called for specific aid for processors and for the production and promotion of high-quality products in disadvantaged regions, such as mountainous and outermost regions.
The group said: “Market conditions in vital sectors such as dairy, pigmeat, beef and fruits and vegetables have deteriorated to such an extent that the survival of many producers is now in serious jeopardy.
“Difficult international market conditions, together with production increases in certain sectors, have had a negative impact on prices.”
With regards to the pig market, EPP urged the Commission to allow temporary production limits in this sector if necessary.
“The standard scheme for private storage should be reopened in due time and other appropriate measures should be implemented in line with the development of pigmeat prices.”
It also added that the proposed measures to deal with the market crisis in the fruits and vegetables sector are “highly insufficient” and called on the Commission to increase promotion funds for beef products and to continue to open new markets abroad.
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