Dairy sector will create 15,000 jobs once EU milk quotas end: economist

Ireland’s dairy sector will create 15,0000 jobs after EU milk quota restrictions end in 2015, said independent economist Ciaran Fitzgerald yesterday at the National Dairy Council conference.

Mr Fitzgerald estimates 5,000 jobs will be created in milk processing for new farm entrants and farm labourers.

He said up to 8,000 jobs will be created in areas such as animal feeds, fertilisers, agri wholesale and advisory roles, at least 1,500 in meat factories due to the increased size of the national dairy herd, and in other related downstream roles.