The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relation stated in Brussels that "size and severity" of the crisis in the milk sector in Europe "calls for a reinforcement of the action and coordination between the Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament," following the broad confluence of various positions on this matter.
 
Rodrigo Oliveira spoke Tuesday on the sidelines of a debate at the Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) of the Committee of the Regions with the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament, Czesław Adam Siekierski. The Regional Under Secretary stressed that "the causes have been identified, from the Russian ban to dismantling of the milk quota system in the EU to retraction of the Chinese market and the expansion of exports from Argentina, among other factors."
 
"The consequences are also clear," Rodrigo Oliveira said, pointing out the "market volatility, the devaluation of agricultural products and, consequently, the crushing of the profitability of the production sector, which jeopardises the survival of many farmers."
 
In this context, he defended that "urgent and effective responses are needed," stressing that "both the Committee and the Parliament are aware of that, but the European Commission does not seem to realise or want to realise the severe of the situation of our producers. In fact, it has persisted in the illusion that the functioning of the market will solve everything and that further interventions are not necessary."
 
"It is essential that the Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development strengthen its efforts and influence with the European Commission and the other commissions of the EU Parliament, also putting pressure also on the Council, so that we can quickly take appropriate proposals and regulatory responses to regulate the market and prices," said Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official added that such measures should "ensure the income of producers and increase the support to regions with very specific characteristics, such as the Azores, where the agricultural sector is of fundamental importance in economic, social and environmental."
 
Rodrigo Oliveira attended the meeting of the Commission for Natural Resources on behalf of the President of the Government. He also highlighted "the strengthening of intervention and the role of the Commission for Agriculture in the monitoring of free trade agreements such as the TTIP and Mercosul to ensure that the ongoing negotiations do not jeopardise the European standards in environmental protection as well as in animal health and food. Moreover, these agreements also aim to ensure that European designations of origin, among other positions and concerns that are common to both institutions."
 
"European institutions and bodies as well as regional governments and Member States must work even harder in coordination to demand the Commission, when negotiating the broad liberalisation with strong external economic blocs, to respect and defend European agriculture and do not allow that European producers be harmed for the benefit of large industrial exports and services," said Rodrigo Oliveira.
 
The meeting of the NAT Commission of the Committee of the Regions was also attended by the European Commissioner responsible for the Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis. It included a debate on food waste and the election of a new president, Francina Armengol i Socias, President of the Balearic Islands.