Will the MAFF in Brussels just talk about the dairy crisis again or will it present a document?

On Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAA) issued a statement saying that "Lithuania will call on the EU to take urgent solutions to manage the dairy and fertiliser crises". Lithuania will call for measures to address the problems of accessibility and affordability of the dairy sector and fertilisers at the European Union (EU) Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers' Council in Brussels on 25 May.

„The situation in our country's dairy sector remains extremely tense, and Lithuania will call on the European Commission (EC) to take the following urgent measures: immediate support from the EU Agricultural Reserve for dairy farms; immediate support for private storage of cheese“, – the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MAA) said in a statement.

But interestingly, Agriculture Minister Andrius Palionis himself does not seem to be in Brussels. On 25 May, the minister's agenda includes an 8-hour paperwork session. 9am briefing of the Minister's team. 10 a.m. management meeting. 11.30 a.m. meeting with the Agriculture and Commerce Attaché. 1 pm. Meeting of the Selection Committee for the submission of conclusions on projects under the Strategic Plan measure "Smart Villages" and 3 p.m. Meeting of the TI Working Group“.

Thus, Mr Palionis will not be in Brussels, although, according to the MAFF, "the Council will also discuss issues of particular relevance to Lithuanian farmers, such as the availability and affordability of fertilisers, including the measures foreseen in the recently adopted Fertiliser Action Plan adopted by the EC".

Who will represent Lithuania at the above-mentioned meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers has not been announced by the MAFF.

It is also not mentioned whether the Council meeting will be limited to expressions of concern, or whether a specific document from Lithuania will be presented.