IFA demands price increase of 1c per litre for dairy farmers

DAIRY farmers are demanding a price increase of 1 cent per litre to bring their returns in line with their European neighbours, according to the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

While other European dairy farmers have price increases over the last few months, Irish prices have remained static, causing increasing disquiet among farmers. The increase being demanded by the IFA would see average co-op prices in Munster, for instance, rise to 30c plus VAT per litre.

IFA national dairy committee chairman, Kevin Kiersey, said: “Irish milk producers are the only European farmers to have received static prices since last May or June. All our fellow European dairy farmers have seen continued price increases over the summer months.