Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. Development of the dairy market situation and the operation of the ‘Milk Package’ provisions

Article 225(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 provides that the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and to the Council by 30 June 2014 on the development of the market situation in the milk and milk products sector, and in particular on the operation of Articles 148 to 151, Article 152(3) and Article 157(3), assessing in particular the effects on milk producers and milk production in disadvantaged regions in connection with the general objective of maintaining production in such regions, and covering potential incentives to encourage farmers to enter into joint production agreements, together with any appropriate proposals.

The conference "The EU dairy sector: developing beyond 2015" held in Brussels on 24 September 2013 explored new challenges that the milk sector will face and discussed whether additional instruments were needed and feasible, taking into account the end of the quota system in 2015. Deliberations in the EU institutions on the results of the conference are ongoing.

This report brings additional elements for the discussion and the Commission is keen to continue the debate with Parliament, the Member States and stakeholders on how best to manage the markets once the quotas have disappeared with a view to making further proposals where appropriate.

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: COM(2014)354: Follow the progress of this report through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2014:354:FIN

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/

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