Farmers call for IDB support

THE Irish Dairy Board, which operates in markets worldwide, has been challenged to give leadership in the required moves to rationalise the dairy industry at home.

Irish Farmers Association general secretary Michael Berkery said dairy farmers can not be expected to bear the burden of adjustment on their own.

“The dairy processing sector will have to engage in a serious overhaul of its capacity, costs and product mix,” he said.

Mr Berkery noted that the Irish Dairy Board (IDB) has given long and stalwart service to the dairy sector.

But, he went on, it makes absolutely no sense for it to be prevented from investing in plant and processing in Ireland and forced to invest overseas in order to obtain growth and expansion.

“The rules of the game have changed and the dairy industry must change to meet the new conditions,” he said.

Mr Berkery said that the IDB offers a perfect catalyst to bring this change about, including investing in partnership with the existing co-ops in processing and other added value facilities in Ireland.

“Capital is scarce, while research and development is expensive and both are needed in large quantities in order to improve our product mix,” he said.

Mr Berkery welcomed a recent statement from Dairygold chief executive Jerry Henchy that he is prepared to consider all possibilities for rationalisation and investment that makes sense for dairy farmers.

“Change is upon us. Time is short and action is required immediately,” he said.