Huge opportunities lie in the post-quota era for Ireland’s low-cost dairy farmers but government intervention is required to cope with the extreme market volatility seen since 2007.
This is according to Irish Farmers’ Association leaders discussing the new era for dairy farming, who also called on farmers to ‘improve efficiencies further’.
They say tax policies and milk price instruments are needed to help farmers manage the tumultuous volatility of the markets.
Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee, IFA liquid Milk Chairman, Teddy Cashman, said that the tough situation many farmers are faced with could threaten local fresh milk supplies.
Unless they are provided with payment systems which fully remunerate their costs, liquid milk producers will vote with their feet, with negative consequences for the consistent availability of fresh, local milk for consumers”.
He said the domestic market, 20 per cent of dairy exports at a €530 million retail value, must be ‘nurtured’.
Source: The Dairy Site