Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the outcome of the June 2009 Council of Agriculture Ministers in relation to low dairy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25948/09]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the supports available to dairy farmers who have been affected by the reduction in milk prices; the developments at EU level in relation to same, in particular the decisions taken at the recent Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 72 together.

The situation of the dairy market was discussed at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting on Monday the 22 June last. This was the fourth consecutive Council meeting that debated the very severe difficulties facing the dairy industry. The Commission outlined the measures it has taken to date to deal with the situation. All the main market supports of public and private storage and export refunds are being used at present and they have helped to stabilise the market.

I called on the Commissioner again to use in the most effective way possible the market management measures that are available. In particular I called for the extension of intervention and private storage aid beyond their August closing dates. The Commissioner said they are examining ways of overcoming the legal obstacles involved and that a proposal would need to be agreed at the next Council meeting in July.

I also stressed the need to progress the proposal to remove the "free at frontier" price for cheese that is blocking the use of export refunds. Progress in this area would yield substantial benefits.