Milk farmers’ campaign takes to the streets to highlight annual losses

Specialist liquid milk producers are being pushed out of farming due to €17,500 average annual losses from the low retail price theyare receiving per litre of milk, says a group of farmers who mounted a protest in Dublin city centre yesterday.

Led by the IFA, demonstrators distributed literature explaining the plight of almost 1,800 specialist dairy farmers to people on Grafton St in Dublin. The group wants an 8% per litre increase on the average retail price, and need an annual average of 40c per litre to survive.

These farmers encounter significantly higher winter feed and energy costs. Historically, these suppliers are paid a premium price to ensure Irish retailers can stock local milk throughout off-peak winter months.