Sale of powdered milk

27.2.2017

Question for written answer E-001261-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL)

According to reports, the Commission is getting ready to sell some 400 tonnes of powdered milk stockpiled as part of the intervention arrangements. This decision has been taken in response to the slight uptick in milk prices in late 2016. Similarly, on 24 November 2016, the Commission sold off 22 150 tonnes.

On the basis of what analyses did the Commission take this decision, since prices paid to producers — despite having increased slightly — remain insufficient to cover production costs in their entirety, as the recent protest in January made clear?

Can the Commission say how this recent sell-off has affected the sale price and the milk market as a whole?

Are any more such sales planned and will the minimum price remain EUR 215 per 100 kg?