Export refund cuts a ‘disaster’

Ireland: A decision by the EU Dairy Management Committee to cut export refunds on butter, skim milk powder and cheddar by 10.70%, 26.70% and 6.50% respectively was described as a disaster by ICMSA president Pat O’Rourke.

He said the introduction of tendering for exports refunds and the EU Commission’s flawed management of enlargement had created “an absolute mess”.

Mr O’Rourke said the current strategy is creating problems for traders, compounding instability in the market and is likely to cause chaos within the Irish dairy industry.

He called on Minister Joe Walsh, in his role as EU Farm Council president, to ensure the stability of dairy markets.