IFA seek to maintain milk prices

The Irish Farmers Association want milk processors to maintain prices paid to farmers for milk, despite pressure to cut prices.

IFA National Dairy Committee chairman Michael Murphy believes that the EU Dairy Management Committee's decisions were unlikely to have a dramatic impact on dairy market returns.

The EU Commission reduced the case in aid by 20% from €60/tonne of skimmed milk to €48, but cut butter export refunds by only 3% and held SMP refunds.

The Commission also adjudicated smaller quantities than expected of intervention product for sale, at higher prices than was feared, said Mr Murphy.