Proposals ‘undermine dairy industry’
But he didn’t find much to enthuse about in the CAP reform proposals announced in Brussels.
Mr Maher, who farms 72 acres at Duagh in north Kerry, milks 55 cows and has a 60,400 gallon quota. A member of the ICMSA, he shares the view of its leader Pat O’Rourke that the proposals are likely to undermine the profitability of the dairy industry.
But, he said, they will have major effects across the broad spectrum of farming because of the loss of the individual premiums on male cattle. Tony, who also has dry cattle on a 60-acre outside farm, said it also proposed to base the dairy cow subsidy on the quota year of 2003 and 2004.
The proposals will restrict in a big way the amount of milk going into restructuring, because people will be holding on to it in order qualify for the dairy subsidy.
People who intend to stay in dairying won’t then have the opportunity to buy out milk from restructuring. Mr Maher, a Kerry Group milk supplier, and his wife, Mary, a teacher, have one son, Anthony, and three daughters, Gretta, Loretta and Jean, all in their teens.
He said it was a coincidence that his birthday should coincide with Franz Fischler’s announcement of the CAP reform proposals in Brussels.
His first bulk milk collection also took place on his 40th birthday, which begged a query about his likely place in farming when he reaches 60.
“I will be in farming at some level, but I don’t think I will be in it at the same level as I am today,” he said.
