Activities of Miguel VIEGAS related to 2014/2146(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
Review of the implementation of the Dairy package (A8-0187/2015 - James Nicholson) PT
Review of the implementation of the Dairy package (debate) PT
Amendments (21)
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, as decided in the 2003 Mid- Term Review of the CAP, dairy quotas will expire on 31 March 2015,in spite of farmers’ protests;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the exposure of dairy farmers to international market prices is caused largely by the fact that dairy quotas were established in 1984 at an overall level of 10 % higher than EU requirements, thereby immediately generating a significant dependence on international markets;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas European dairy products significantly contribute to the success of the EU’s agri-food industry and the prosperity of rural economies where small and medium family farms predominate;
Amendment 89 #
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, rigidity of supply owing to the production process and the perishability of production, 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 98 #
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 and the Russian embargo, and recognises the clear lack of targeted measures taken thus far in addressing the impact of the Russian embargo;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the dairy crisis of 2009 occurred under the quota structure, although overall quotas exceed EU requirements, adding that the soft landing mechanism increased this surplus still further; reminds the Commission that the delay in responding to the crisis forced many dairy farmers out of business, and expresses concern regarding the Commission’s capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to market crises;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the medium and long-term prospects for the dairy sector in both domestic and global markets remain favourable andstrongly dependent on the demand of emerging countries and the development of their capacity for self-sufficiency, as a key part of the agri- food industry, the dairy sector has significant long-term growth and job creation potential which should be targetconsidered under the new Investment Plan;
Amendment 142 #
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 often the only type of farming possible, and is therefore fundamental in ensuring social, economic and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Considers it necessary to foresee calling into question a quotas system to control supply in the dairy sector due to the unavailability of a mechanism with an equivalent effect on the market;
Amendment 175 #
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 growth and innovationshould present new regulatory mechanisms to make it possible to adjust supply to demand, ensuring equitable distribution of production across the whole EU area and avoiding this regulation being left simply to the methods of the markets;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights that implementation of the Milk Package is still at an early stage; expresses disappointment, nevertheless, with the low levels of implementation and the lack of response to the fall in prices well below production costs;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that strengthening contractual relations represents a concrete method of ensuring help in promoting equitable distribution along the supply chain and reinforces the responsibility of stakeholders to take account of the market situation and respond accordingly; stresses, however, that while this is necessary it is insufficient to ensure equitable distribution of the value of production among the agents in this chain;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes however that these contracts have always been possible, and therefore the fact that they still exist should lead to a reflection on the need to find mechanisms that effectively protect farmers from abuse by distributors and their dominant position in the retail market;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reminds the Commission of the importance of transparency across the whole supply chain for the sector, currently dominated by large-scale distribution which absorbs a large proportion of the value created upstream, to encourage stakeholders to respond to market signals; notes the increased importance of accurate and timely information in the post-quota market;
Amendment 328 #
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; notes, however, that the market is increasingly dominated by dried dairy products; also notes the existence of significant investments by emerging countries in order to supply a growing proportion of their own needs;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Warns however that these negotiations will never be able to include concessions in view of EU laws, namely regarding the use of substances prohibited in the EU, environmental rules, rules on animal well-being, food safety, labelling and certification;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the continuing need to identify and develop new markets, increase the EU global market share, secureneed to reflect on the current EU surplus and develop contacts with new markets through cooperation agreements, ensuring fair access for EU exporters and stimulate export growthto these markets;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the need for the sector to move away fromnot to rely solely on unprocessed bulk production; considers that full use should be made of research measures to develop innovative high-value dairy products in high growth markets such as medicinal nutritional products and nutritional products for infants and athletes;
Amendment 411 #
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 toolshave proved insufficient to address persistent volatility or a crisis in the milk sector;
Amendment 457 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Urges the Commission to work on a market regulation mechanism which adjusts supply to demand and ensures an equitable distribution of production throughout the EU territory, protecting the food sovereignty of the Member States and ensuring fair prices for farmers;
Amendment 460 #
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 and abuses of power by large-scale distribution; 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 devalues the end product for the consumer, requiring greater inspection both of the quality of milk sold and its provenance and of dumping practices whereby milk is sold at well below production costs;