ICMSA warns against EC releasing intervention dairy stocks too early

THE recent recovery in dairy markets could be undermined by the European Commission prematurely releasing stocks from intervention, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) warned yesterday.

ICMSA Dairy Committee chairman Pat McCormack said the recovery in the markets is still far too tentative to even consider the release of stocks over and above what was agreed under the Food for Deprived Persons Scheme.

“Farmers are only now beginning to see the benefits of the improved markets and haven’t even begun to clear the mountain of bills built up since 2009,” he said.