Lithuanian and Latvian agriculture mins ask EC’s support for dairy producers

The Lithuanian and Latvian agriculture ministers have appealed to European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski asking for exceptional financial support for their dairy producers from the EU’s agricultural reserve fund that would total EUR 18.6 million in a quarter until farm-gate milk prices normalise, the Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture announces.

Farm-gate milk prices have been falling in Lithuania since last autumn. The average farm-gate milk price in Lithuania is around 40% below the EU average. Small dairy farms are even worse off, receiving far less for their milk than the statistical averages, the ministry said.