Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I accept that this is a difficult time and many of the problems are dictated by global conditions. What we need is far more aggressive use of market support measures at European Union level. The Minister said that the picture looks difficult for the first half of 2009, which is the peak milk production time for Irish farmers. The Minister will be aware that some processors are talking about a doomsday scenario, with farmers paid in the region of 19 or 20 cent per litre for milk. That is the cost of production. Farmers will not be able to ride out that type of price volatility. Notwithstanding what has been achieved in Brussels, as the Minister has outlined, does he accept the necessity to go back to ensure that a more realistic price can be paid by processors if there is more aggressive use of market support measures?

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