Plea to EC on milk market supports

THE Irish Co-operative Organisation Society said yesterday it has been actively lobbying the European Commission on the operation of the milk market supports.

ICOS policy development director Martin Varley said it has met with commission officials and the Department of Agriculture and Food outlining the need for improved EU export competitiveness.

It had also highlighted the need for stability in dairy market returns, which have been adversely affected by the ongoing weakness of the US dollar and reductions in market supports.