Dairy sector to seek EU action on milk prices

EUROPEAN Union measures to allow milk prices to rise above the intervention floor will be sought by an Irish dairy sector delegation when it meets with Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler in Brussels today.

The joint IFA/co-ops delegation, led by Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh, will have a common agenda the falling income of the country's 26,000 dairy farmers.

IFA president John Dillon said since July 2001, milk prices to farmers have fallen by 10p/gal (0.28c/l), costing the average 40,000 gallon (182,000 litre) dairy farmer €5,200.