20 Amendments of Bronis ROPĖ related to 2014/2146(INI)
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Russian ban on European dairy products since August 2014 not only has had a significant impact on the EU internal market and, but also demonstrated the importance of proper milk market regulation in cases of an unexpected dip in demand, of measures to help prevent unauthorised oversupply and price reductions, and also demonstrated the importance of securing diverse export markets for EU products;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that dairy farmers are particularly vulnerable to income variations and risks, owing to high capital costs, volatile dairy commodity prices, input and energy costs, and that a sustainable livelihood from dairy farming is an ongoing challenge as production costs are frequently close to or above farm gate prices;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Commission to address the crisis currently facing the dairy sector as a result of a dip in global demand, global price volatility, the absence of effective crisis management mechanisms and the Russian embargo, and recognises the targeted measures taken thus far in addressing the impact of the Russian embargo;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the dairy crisis of 2009 occurred under the quota structure;, which means that its existing mechanisms were not efficiently adapted by adequately reducing production quantities according to current demand; therefore reminds the Commission that theits delay in responding to the crisis then forced many dairy farmers out of business, and expresses concern regarding the Commission’s capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to market crises;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. NoteIs very cautious about the claims that the medium and long-term prospects for the dairy sector in both domestic and global markets remain favourable and, but at the same time emphasises that, as a key part of the agri- food industry, the dairy sector has significant long-term growth and job creation potential in rural areas, which should be targeted under the new Investment Plan;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Acknowledges the important socio- economic contribution dairy farming makes across the EU and its particular importance in disadvantaged and outermost regions, where it is oftencan sometimes be the only type of farming possible;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Acknowledges the important socio- economic contribution dairy farming makes in agricultural and rural development across the EU and its particular importance in disadvantagless industrialised and outermost regions, where itdairy farming is often the only type of farming possible; emphasises that such regions are distinguished by more environmentally-friendly farming by more often using natural animal feed (grass), partially deals with global social and environmental problems, such as rural unemployment, dependence on imported feed containing GMOs, and therefore must be encouraged;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes the view that EU dairy policy after the expiry of milk quotas presents an opportunity for the EU economy, and considers that any future measures must strengthen its competitiveness and facilitate sustainable growth and innovation, while ensuring that the activities in the dairy sector remain attractive to farmers, regardless of their milk supply quantities;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. also notes that in many cases contractual relationships are not working properly due to the lack of minimum standards recognisable at EU level and the weak market position that farmers are in, as well as the fact that farmers in cooperatives are excluded from the scope of these contracts;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Therefore emphasises the need to establish minimum standards for the contracts between producers and collectors, which should include: the definition of quantities, the price which should be linked to the average cost of milk production in the EU; the definition of the contract period; quality requirements; it is no less important to establish the provision that contracts would be concluded only between processors and producers or producer organisations, which would be independent of processors, as well as the provision establishing the mandatory notification of such contracts to the Milk Market Observatory;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the sector could further explore the potential offered by longer- term integrated supply chain contracts, forwards contracts, fixed margin contracts, and the opportunity to ‘lock in’ a milk price for a set period of time, associating it with the cost of production; believes that the option to avail of new instruments in contractual relations should be available;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the important role of producer organisations (POs) in increasing the bargaining power and influence producers have in the supply chain, and regrets the fact that there have only been limited moves towards setting up POs; highlights that POs can benefit from financial support under Pillar II and urges further incentivisation to create and join POs as aat EU and State Members level to create POs, to join them and in different forms to participate in their activities, to conduct educational activities among producers about POs as tools to address imbalances in the supply chain, while only recognising POs independent of collectors and processors;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Emphasises the importance of the Milk Market Observatory (MMO) in disseminating and analysing market data and calls for an increased role for the MMO by giving it real market regulatory powers and ensuring its role as the central crisis prevention and management institution responsible for the dairy sector; recommends that the Commission take the necessary action to ensure that the MMO is in a position to communicate early warnings to the Commission, Member States and relevant stakeholders, when the market situation so requires; considers that the information provided by the MMO should be sufficiently frequent and should involve updates on market and price trends, and should be easily accessible and user- friendly for all stakeholders;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that global dairy demand is predicted to grow by 2 % per annum, offering opportunities for products of EU origin; points out, however, that a blind expectation of export growth is dangerous and, in order to ensure sustainable stability in the dairy market prospects, it is necessary to successfully implement smart crisis management concepts; notes, however, that the market is increasingly dominated by dried dairy products;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that bilateral trade negotiations may represent strategic opportunities for the EU dairy sector, but also warns of threats to the European dairy sector arising from lower health and hygiene standards possibly caused by such contracts. There is also concern about ignoring the rules of origin of products, currently very characteristic of the dairy sector of the United States of America;
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. At the same time it is equally important to ensure the operation of mechanisms intended for the market’s response to the declining export volume and for the compensation for the consequences;
Amendment 416 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that existing ‘safety net’ measures such as public intervention and private storage aid are not suitable tools to address persistent volatility or a crisis in the milk sector; instead, it focuses on the importance of the creation of an efficient programme for crisis management in the dairy sector;
Amendment 426 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Recalls that the other EU institutions, e.g. the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, have asked the Commission to analyse the Market Responsibility Programme proposed by the European Dairy Council, especially taking into account oversupply in the dairy market and very low purchase prices recorded in summer 2014; also, offers to assess the opportunity to transfer into EU legislation the provisions regarding the coordination of market surveillance mechanisms with the mechanisms of response and intervention as well as the mandatory output adjustment;
Amendment 448 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines the importance of a more responsive and realistic crisis instrument, and recommends that the Commission engage with the sector on the possibility of using risk management instruments such as the futures markets to take advantage of the volatility in the sector to increase itsMarket Responsibility Programme and futures markets in order to stabilise the sector and improve its long-term competitiveness;
Amendment 462 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that dairy producers are particularly vulnerable to imbalances in the supply chain, in particular owing to fluctuating demand, rising production costs and decreasing farm gate prices; considers that the downward pressure on prices by retailers from own-brand labelling and the persistent use of liquid milk as a ‘loss leader’ by retailers undermines the work and investment of producers in the dairy sector and thus devalues the end product for the consumer; therefore, stresses that, without the existence of an individual programme intended for the management of a potential crisis, the situation of producers of the dairy sector will become increasingly vulnerable when food processors and big industries will gain more and more power;