Milk quota plan needed, group hears

IT IS critical to provide farmers with an indication of how long milk quotas will remain, given that they are now in a position where they must decide for themselves the value of milk quota under the new quota exchange.

That was the clear message from Dr Pat Dillon, head of dairy research at Teagasc Moorepark, when he opened a consultation meeting of dairy industry representatives in Moorepark, Co Cork, yesterday, on the future of milk quotas.

Dr Dillon said it is time for the leaders in the dairy sector to get together to come up with a strategy that can ensure the viability of dairy farming.