Co-ops split over quota exchange

LAKELAND DAIRIES have opposed Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan's plans to establish a milk quota exchange system in 2007.

Dairygold Co-op has supported the idea in principle, and farmers are split also over the Minister's plan, with IFA giving it a guarded welcome, but ICMSA and Macra rejecting it.

Lakeland Chief Executive Ed Prendergast warned that the proposals are unworkable, unfair and they will also undoubtedly open the Minister to a wide range of compensation claims from farmers who have already made decisions under existing conditions.