Agriculture, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Legislation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies

"Today a decision will probably be made to compensate both dairy and meat producers for the price difference. () We have proposed to compensate LTL 0.3 (EUR 0.08) for buying in price of milk and around LTL 1.5 (EUR 0.43) for buying in price of meat. If the price used to be LTL 5 (EUR 1.45) now LTL 3.5 (EUR 1.01) is paid, so, we will compensate LTL 1.5 (EUR 0.43) from the budget," said Minister of Agriculture Virginija Baltraitiene before the Government's meeting.

It is estimated that LTL 120 million (EUR 35 million) will be needed to pay out compensations.

Farmers' proposal to bring forward advance direct payments for the next year will be discussed as well.

On Wednesday the Government should approve ritual slaughter of animals, as requested by meat producers. This would enable them to export production to Muslim countries.

The minister has promised to propose at the extraordinary meeting of the EU agricultural ministers to allocate support not only to the gardening sector but to dairy and meat sectors too.