L. whereas price volatility in agricultural markets is a permanent feature, but has recently increased dramatically owing to a combination of factors – including extreme weather conditions, energy prices, speculation and demand changes – and is expected to increase further, as predicted by both the OECD and the FAO, leading to extreme booms and busts in agricultural commodity prices on European markets, whereas between 2006 and 2008, the prices of several commodities rose considerably, some by as much as 180%, as was the case for gra ...[+++]ins; whereas dairy prices collapsed in 2009, falling on average by 40%, and whereas other products such as cereals, fruit and vegetables, olive oil have also been affected, and extreme fluctuations in prices have had detrimental consequences for producers and have not always benefited consumers,

After an unprecedented period of record prices for milk and dairy products in 2007 and early 2008, European producers now face weak and uncertain markets characterised by a sharp drop in global dairy product prices.

(19) Milk production and cattle farming are the mainstay of the agricultural economy of the Azores, and support for the sector should take account of the crucial importance of these activities in both social and economic terms, especially for small farmers. To ensure the survival of traditional activity in this sector, the suckler cow premium and the aid for dairy cows should continue to be supplemented, within the limit of the available local quota. A supplement to the slaughter premium should be introduced and aid granted for the disposal of surplus male bovines for which no normal outlets can be found in the islands and which must be shipp ...[+++]ed to the rest of the Community at considerable additional cost, given the particular geographical situation of the region. To ensure that Community support can be mobilised effectively, a comprehensive programme to support local activities in the livestock and milk products sectors should enable the sectors concerned to define and implement strategies tailored to the local context for economic development, spatial organisation of production and increasing the professionalism of producers.

To ensure that Community support can be mobilised effectively, a comprehensive programme to support local activities in the livestock and milk products sectors should enable the sectors concerned to define and implement strategies tailored to the local context for economic development, spatial organisation of production and increasing the professionalism of producers.

To ensure that Community support can be mobilised effectively, a comprehensive programme to support local activities in the livestock and milk products sectors should enable the sectors concerned to define and implement strategies tailored to the local context for economic development, spatial organisation of production and increasing the professionalism of producers.

1. In the period 2001-2006, aid shall be granted to implement in both Martinique and Réunion comprehensive programmes to support the production and marketing of local produce in the livestock and milk products sectors.