Michael Ring
Question:171 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will negotiate with the EU to secure an increased and benchmarked intervention price for milk. [13479/02]
Written Answers. - EU Funding.
The EU intervention price is established under regulation by the Council of Ministers. Any change would first require a proposal from the EU Commission, followed by agreement in the Council. The present level was agreed as part of Agenda 2000, which also includes provision for reduced support prices in 2005, 2006 and 2007, coinciding with the introduction of a dairy cow premium. In that context an increase in the intervention price is not a realistic proposition.