Milk quota rise torealise €35m

A PROPOSAL announced yesterday by the European Commission to increase milk quotas across the EU by 2% from April 1 next would be worth €35 million a year in creamery cheques to Irish dairy farmers on current average prices.

The proposed increase to meet growing demand in the EU and on global markets would boost the Irish national milk pool by 100 million litres.

In a statement issued in Brussels, the Commission said the quota increase would apply on an equal basis to the 27 EU member states.