ICMSA welcomes milk-price hold

A DECISION by Kerry Group that it will hold milk prices and will not be going ahead with a planned cut due to take effect from January 1 was welcomed by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) at its annual general meeting in Limerick yesterday.

Describing the news as excellent for dairy farmers, ICMSA president Jackie Cahill called on all co-ops to follow the decision.

Fine Gael spokesman Denis Naughten said the Kerry decision was a positive development, as the continual reduction in milk price is having a detrimental effect on the viability of many family-run dairy farms.