Minister accused of undermining re-structuring scheme

AGRICULTURE Minister Mary Coughlan has been accused of depriving farmers of up to 40 million gallons of extra milk quota, by undermining the re-structuring scheme with her announcement of moves towards a more open market system of transferring quotas.

Dominic Cronin, Chairman of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee said there has been a complete halt to restructuring, due exclusively to the Minister’s statement made at the Fianna Fáil Agriculture Conference.

Mr Cronin said a quota exchange could add €40 million annually to dairy farmers’ costs. “I am amazed that the Department, which is constantly telling farmers to cut costs, has come forward with a proposal that will increase farmer costs substantially”.