Huge team effort needed to shore up dairy sector
A HUGE team effort involving the co-ops, the Government and Europe will be needed to prevent the Irish dairy industry taking major financial hit which would hit farmers, workers and the national economy.
This week, Connacht IFA Chair and dairy farmer, Pat Murphy, said that the latest report from Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) spelled out how serious the situation could get for the Irish dairy industry.
“We need the co-ops to be at their sharpest in terms of work contingency plans and in ensuring that the Ornua prices are returned to the primary producer – the Irish dairy farmer.
“But we also need the Dept. of Agriculture and the Irish Government to ensure that a comprehensive private storage and intervention plan is put in place to take any surplus in milk production arising from the present crisis,” said Pat Murphy.
He also pointed out that in addition to dairy farmers themselves there was also as significant number of people who were being employed on dairy farmers whose jobs would be under threat as well.
“The day will come when we will get over this crisis but in the meantime the co-ops, the Irish Government and the EU must respond with urgency to the situation.
“There are many, many dairy farmers dotted across Galway and the West of Ireland who have invested heavily in their enterprises over recent years and they must be given the help to see them through this crisis period,” said Pat Murphy.
According to a report commissioned by business advisory firm Ernst & Young (EY), they predict that Irish fairy farmers may face significant milk price reductions of between 10% and 20% unless vital EU market measures are implemented.
According to the EY report, such a scenario would have devastating impacts on farmer profitability and the wider rural economy.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.