The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers accompanied a delegation of members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dairy Farmers to Brussels this week, Thurs 29 April, to meet with European Commissioner for Agriculture, Mariann Fischer Boel and the European Parliament's agricultural committee chairman, Neil Parish MEP.

Issues related to the EU's general lack of common approach within the dairy sector were high on the agenda, explained RABDF's chief executive, Nick Everington. “We enquired of Mrs Fischer Boel how the dairy sector within the EU-27's accession states would cope with the dismantling of CAP,” he explained. “We went on to discuss how the EU would ensure that a level playing field would apply to all these changes. We were particularly keen for reassurance there would be no further emergence of wide disparities in milk price which currently occur between the UK  and countries such as Italy and Finland .”

The delegation also questioned why there were major differences in the way EU member states' respective Competition Commissions viewed monopoly situations. “Take for example Denmark, there Arla is allowed to have an 80% market share, a position the Danish Competition Commission authorities view as acceptable, however it's one that does not apply in the UK,” said Mr Everington.

APPG chairman, Daniel Kawczynski MP commented: “It is essential that MPs take the opportunity to speak up for our constituents in Europe , especially over agricultural matters. It is imperative that we get the best deal for our highly competitive farming industry in the free market system, whilst ensuing that the farming in the UK is allowed to develop and grow in the international market place. At present there are too many differences, and a badly administered bureaucracy. Our farmers deserve better.”