Abolition of quotas must be planned carefully to ‘minimise the threats’

The abolition of the EU’s dairy quota restrictions in 2015 will represent both an opportunity and a challenge for Irish farmers, Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness said at yesterday’s Lakeland Dairies milk quality awards in Virginia, Co Cavan.

Ms McGuinness said many dairy farmers have grown up with a restrictive dairy regime, forced to farm within the quota system. Ireland is one of a few EU member states looking forward to the abolition of milk quotas in 2015 and preparing to take advantage of the opportunity to expand the sector to meet increased demand for dairy products globally, she said.

“The elimination of the quota regime must be carefully planned to maximise the opportunities and minimise the threats to the sector,” said Ms McGuinness.