Killeen Welcomes Early Introduction Of Private Storage Aid For Butter

The scheme will take effect from 1st January next instead of its usual start date of 1st March.

"This ruling by Brussels means that butter manufactured in December will be eligible for storage": explained Minister Killeen.

The Clare T.D. continued: "The early introduction of private storage aid for butter follows on less than a week after the Minister for Agriculture contacted EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mariann Fischer Boel to express his serious concern about the current weakness in dairy product prices. I am delighted to see that the Commissioner has now taken such a decisive step in responding to genuine concerns about the current state of the market. The decision is appropriate and timely and will help to stabilise the dairy market."

"The Department of Agriculture will continue to closely monitor market developments and will not hesitate to intervene with the Commissioner should further market measures be needed. However, despite current difficulties, the medium term prognosis for the international dairy sector remains positive": the Junior Agriculture Minister added.

-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