CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE MILK PRODUCERS’ ORGANISATION
MPO warns against protest action
“The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) shares EU milk producer organisations’ concernsover the effect of subsidised milk exports on the dairy industries of developing countries, but is not in a position to become involved with dairy politics in the EU,” said Bertus de Jongh, chief executive officer of the MPO, in reaction to the continuing protest action by milk producers in the European Union.
“The MPO has empathy with the suffering of milk producers across the world, but does not have sufficient knowledge and information to become involved with the internal dairy politics of other countries. South African circumstances differ markedly from those in Europe where quotas and state subsidies play a big role in the dairy industry. Africa is also characterised by its huge food shortages and, in light of this situation, the MPO cannot express itself in favour of milk spillage."
During the International Dairy Federation’s recent World Dairy Summit in Berlin, the MPO held talks with various role players in the German dairy industry. According to De Jongh, it is clear that the industry in Germany has suffered major damage due to the continuing protest action. Dairy usage has dropped and producer ranks are divided between radicals and moderate producers.
Thorkild Rasmussen, head of the EU Commission’s dairy policy department, also emphasised at the World Dairy Summit that the EU’s dairy policy has the interests of milk producers at heart and that the existing dairy policy will be executed. This stance was again confirmed last week by EU Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel, at a meeting of EU agricultural ministers.
For more information, contact Bertus de Jongh on 012 843 5600 or 082 552 0594 or e-mail bertus.dejongh@mpo.co.za
End
12 Oktober 2009
PERSVERKLARING UITGEREIK DEUR BERTUS DE JONGH,
HOOFUITVOERENDE BEAMPTE VAN DIE MELKPRODUSENTE-ORGANISASIE
MPO maan teen protesaksie
“Die Melkprodusente-organisasie (MPO) deel EU melkprodusente-organisasies se kommer oor die uitwerking van gesubsidieerde melkuitvoere op veral ontwikkelende lande se suiwelbedrywe, maar is nie in ’n posisie om by suiwelpolitiek in die EU betrokke te raak nie,” sê Bertus de Jongh, hoofuitvoerende beampte van die MPO, in reaksie op die voortgesette protesaksies deur melkprodusente in die Europese Unie.
“Die MPO het empatie met die swaarkry van melkprodusente regoor die wêreld, maar beskik nie oor genoeg kennis en inligting om betrokke te raak by die interne suiwelpolitiek van ander lande nie. Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede verskil aansienlik van dié in Europa waar kwotas en staatsubsidies ’n groot rol in die melkbedryf speel. Afrika word ook gekenmerk aan sy reuse voedseltekorte en in die lig van hierdie situasie, kan die MPO hom ook nie uitspreek ten gunste van melkverspilling nie.”
Tydens die Internasionale Suiwelfederasie se pas-afgelope Wêreld Suiwel Spitsberaad in Berlyn, het die MPO in gesprek getree met verskeie rolspelers in die Duitse melkbedryf. Volgens De Jongh is dit duidelik dat die bedryf in Duitsland groot skade berokken is deur die voortgesette protesaksie. Suiwelverbruik het gedaal en produsentegeledere is verdeel tussen radikale en gematigde produsente.
Thorkild Rasmussen, hoof van die EU Kommissie se suiwelbeleidsafdeling, het ook by die Wêreld Suiwel Spitsberaad beklemtoon dat die EU se suiwelbeleid die belange van melkprodusente op die hart dra en dat die bestaande suiwelbeleid tot uitvoer gebring sal word. Die standpunt is verlede week weer deur EU Kommissaris, Mariann Fischer Boel, in ‘n vergadering van EU landbouministers bevestig.
Vir meer inligting, kontak Bertus de Jongh by 012 843 5600 of 082 552 0594of e-pos bertus.dejongh@mpo.co.za
