Priority action to assist beef producers

3.9.2015

Question for written answer E-012419-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Daniel Buda (PPE)

Following the Russian embargo and the fall in pig meat prices, many pig farms would have gone bankrupt without access to private meat storage facilities. While, VAT reductions have also substantially brought down the market price of poultry meat and pig meat, imports have declined and exports have risen. Private pig meat storage facilities have thus proved to be of great assistance to Romanian farmers, resulting in increased production.

Unfortunately, the same does not apply to the increasingly hard-pressed beef and dairy farmers, who have had to contend with the effects of the recent drought, including deterioration in the quantity and quality of fodder stocks, as well as falling prices for their produce.

In the Commission's view, what action should be taken to assist not only pig farmers, who may have problems with meat storage, but also cattle farmers who, in addition this, also have to contend with difficulties arising in the dairy sector?