Coveney warns superlevy fines of up to €10m are looking likely

Superlevy fines estimated at up to €10m are looking likely for Ireland, despite Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands also struggling to stay within their milk quotas.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has warned dairy farmers that a repeat of the February/March production pattern from last year will result in a superlevy this year.

Mr Coveney said: “While I acknowledge the continued efforts by dairy farmers and their co-operatives to avoid exceeding the national quota, the responsibility for the management of milk quota rests with the milk producer, whose duty it is to ensure that the enterprise remains within quota.”