CAP reform and nitrate directive could lead to 20% reduction in dairy incomes

A DROP of 20% in dairy incomes is predicted in a study carried out by University College Dublin in collaboration with Teagasc Moorepark.

It shows that a combined effect of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the implementation of the EU nitrate directive could lead to a drop of almost 20% in the income of intensive dairy farmers.

The analysis, which was conducted by UCD economist Anne Marie Butler, shows that a dairy farmer with around 80 cows on 40 hectares (100 acres) could be facing a drop of €15,000 in income.