Smith calls for increased support for dairy sector at European level

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith has called for increased support for the Irish dairy sector at the European level.

Speaking in Brussels at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries yesterday, Mr Smith acknowledged the milk sector had struggled in the face of the economic downturn.

“The unprecedented situation that we are facing has put an enormous burden on the milk sector and we have seen a slump in demand as a consequence of the considerable reduction from historically high prices in 2007 and the more recent credit crunch,” he said.