€11m quota fine less than feared

A fine for Irish dairy farmers who over-produced milk in the past year has come in at a less-than-expected €11m.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced the estimated national superlevy liability, based on a 99% return of information from dairy co-ops.

“I acknowledge the very difficult choices farmers were faced with over the past 12 months in trying to get a balance between the very attractive prices being paid in response to a strong global demand for dairy products, and the limitations placed on them by their individual milk quota allocations,” said Mr Coveney.