Press Release: The EU milk sector prepares for the end of milk quotas

The European Union's milk quota regime came to an end on 31 March 2015. It was first introduced in 1984, at a time when the EU's production far outstripped demand.

The final date to end quotas was first decided in 2003 in order to provide EU producers with more flexibility to respond to growing demand, especially on the world market, and it was reconfirmed in 2008.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/15/4697, 26.03.15: Frequently Asked Questions: End of milk quotas http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-4697_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Report on the dairy market and the 'Milk Package' http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-report-on-the-dairy-market-and-the-milk-package/

EUObserver, 27.03.15: Milk sector prospects 'encouraging', as EU quotas end https://euobserver.com/news/128172

EurActiv, 01.04.15: EU puts end to 30 years of milk quotas http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/eu-puts-end-30-years-milk-quotas-313433

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 01.04.15: Milk quotas come to an end http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER160936-Milk-quotas-come-to-an-end

European Parliament: Press Release, 01.04.15: End of milk quotas: 'Opportunity to build a more confident and robust dairy sector' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150328STO38905/

CAPX, 19.08.15: 4 reasons why milk is so cheap http://www.capx.co/4-reasons-why-milk-is-so-cheap/

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/milk/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/milk/index_en.htm

Website: European Dairy Association (EDA) http://eda.euromilk.org/home.html

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