Skim milk powder prices in Western Europe slightly firmed at the bottom of the price range but are unchanged at the top. The opening of SMP sales from intervention stocks has generated some market uncertainty. However, some manufacturers, notable in Germany, report good demand for fresh production of food quality SMP from regular customers. Reasoning the Commission has given for selling intervention stocks cites the price recovery of SMP. Also mentioned is timing, that it is now the lowest level of production of milk and powder. A number of dairy processors in EU are wary of the decision.