Dairy farmers reject milk quota free for all call

“DO not abolish ring fencing” was the clear message to the Milk Quota Review Group from dairy farmers around the country represented at the AGM of the ICMSA.

They gave an emphatic thumbs down to a milk quota 'free for all", with a majority of more than six to one rejecting a motion "that ring fencing of quotas be abolished to allow fairness to all suppliers in all parts of the country".

The motion was tabled by ICMSA branches in Gorey and New Ross in Co Wexford, and Timoleague and Clonakilty in West Cork. It was supported by speakers who claimed that ring fencing no longer serves the best interest of development in dairying, because it does not allow the allocation of milk quota to areas which can produce more milk.