ICOS stands its ground with EC on milk prices

Portlaoise: ICOS, the co-ops’ umbrella body, said yesterday it has operated a strong lobbying approach with the European Commission in 2004 and to date in 2005 on milk markets.

Director general John Tyrrell told the society’s AGM in Portlaoise that this lobbying was intensified by ICOS, with the support of the Department of Agriculture and Food, when the European Commission cut casein aid in September and October.

In this regard, he rejected comments made by Michael Berkery of the IFA in Kilkenny last week, regarding ICOS and the head of the EU milk section concerning prices.