Farmers seek milk protein spot checks

Ireland: Farmers are seeking Department of Agriculture and Food spot checks of milk protein testing by the country's dairy co-ops.

The IFA wants the Department to introduce the system on the same basis as existing butterfat test checks to improve the confidence of farmers and ensure they are paid the price justified by their milk constituents.

Spot checks of butterfat testing by Department of Agriculture inspectors was introduced by legislation in the 1930s. Butterfat was then the only milk solid on the basis of which farmers were paid, and the spot checks were to ensure that farmers received fair value for their milk.