Dairy industry seeks meeting with minister to ask for further EU funds

THE dairy industry is to seek a meeting with Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith to try to secure further European Union market supports.

It followed a summit meeting of industry leaders in Horse and Jockey, Co Tipperary, which was convened by Irish Farmers Association president Padraig Walshe.

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Macra na Feirme, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, the Irish Dairy Board, the Irish Dairy Industries Association and all the dairy co-ops were represented.

Mr Walshe said the livelihoods of 20,000 farmers and up to 30,000 workers depend on the dairy industry.

“The minister must secure immediate market supports from the European Commission, as thousands of jobs are at risk and dairy farmers will face a year with no incomes to provide for their families and businesses,” he said.

Mr Walshe said Mr Smith, in conjunction with his EU counterparts, must impress the seriousness of the problem facing the industry across Europe to the commission.

“He must also convince the commission about the need for levels of export refunds which will actually help move product, and he must also seek additional intervention measures to support the butter and skim milk markets in 2009,” he said.

Mr Walshe said the minister must also push for the re-introduction of protein and butter fat processing schemes.

Export credit insurance, a reduction in energy prices and greater pressure on banks to provide improved flexibility in financial arrangements for all levels of the industry including farmers were also identified as other critical areas requiring government action.

A small representative group was appointed by the meeting to meet with the minister and to follow up on the issues identified.