MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the butter shortage
24.10.2017
Joëlle Mélin, Mylène Troszczynski, Philippe Loiseau, Dominique Bilde, Steeve Briois, Sylvie Goddyn
B8‑0588/2017
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the butter shortage
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 133 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the butter shortage, a result of the dairy crisis, is having a highly detrimental effect on the agricultural sector;
B. whereas almost 30% of dairy farmers have left the industry since 2012, with no one to replace them;
C. whereas the disappearance of family farms producing excellent milk is in turn leading to the disappearance of an entire high-quality produce chain;
D. whereas the butter shortage is having a serious impact on craft traders and industrial manufacturers whose production hinges on the price of butter;
E. whereas the sizeable stocks of milk powder, used by the Commission[1] as a tool to manage the market, is preventing any quick rise in milk prices;
F. whereas milk prices in France are determined in annual negotiations between producers and distributors, limiting the leeway for increases;
G. whereas the increase in the price of butter has particularly been caused by strong demand in the United States and China;
1. Calls on the Commission to cease its involvement in the management of milk stocks;
2. Calls on the Commission to reintroduce customs tariffs for dairy products in order to address the butter shortage.
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007.