Farmers to protest at milk price cuts

FARMERS, angry at the decisions taken by Glanbia and Lakeland Dairies to cut the milk price, are to hold protest and strategy meetings on Tuesday.

Glanbia’s board decided on a reduction of 3 cent per gallon for April and a further 3c per gallon for May, while Lakeland Dairies opted for a cut of 6c per gallon for March.

Warning the cuts will have a devastating impact on farm incomes, Irish Farmers’ Association president Padraig Walshe said the reality is that the average dairy farmer is earning half the income of a worker in a co-op, and that is not sustainable.