Minister hints 2005 good time to quit milking

NEXT year might be the best time to get out of milking, indicated Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh last week.

That is the signal from decoupling of the dairy premium, he said. “As well as the price paid to them for their quota, they will have the security of the direct payment into the future. This could result in significant quantities being offered into restructuring to be re-distributed to these producers who need it to increase the scale of their operations”, said the Minister.