Mixed reaction to open-market quota system

THERE has been a mixed initial reaction to the announcement by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan that she intends to move to a more open-market system of transferring milk quotas.

Ms Coughlan, who announced her intention at the Fianna Fáil agriculture and food conference in Birr, Co Offaly, last Sunday, said a new market-led approach to quota transfer is required to put the dairy sector on a competitive footing.

Macra na Feirme leader Colm Markey said he was opposed in principle to a more market driven system which would result in an increase in the price of quota.