BirdLife reaction regarding CAP subsidies being used to support EU dairy sector.
A significant proportion of the CAP budget is being used to support the EU dairy sector. Many of these measures are trade distorting or based on derogations to state-aid rules.
grassland might have better nutritional characteristics (e.g. more polyunsaturated acids) than milk produced in intensive and conventional systems.
pollution. These farms have extremely high stocking density and rely mostly on externally sourced concentrate feeds (mainly soya meal). The high productivity leads to overexploitation of cows and high use of antibiotics, with development of resistant bacteria strains.
Conversely, extensive dairy systems, though representing a small proportion of EU dairy sector, have positive environmental outcomes because contribute to the maintenance of valuable grassland habitats.
The main features of these systems are: use of local semi-natural grassland as main food source, low stocking density, hardy breeds and no use of antibiotics (limited use of other drugs).
.inform the public on the positive effects for health and the environment linked to consumption of organic/semi-natural grassland based products.
organic production are still starved of funding".