Plans welcomed for dairy expansion
All of the main dairy sector stakeholders were represented at the conference. In broad terms, the state institutions and private sector and farming bodies expressed initial approval of the plan, which proposes that most of the strategic actions planned be delivered by the likes of Teagasc, Bord Bia, milk processors, co-op boards, Enterprise Ireland, ICOS, the Irish Dairy Board, Government bodies, farming representative organisations, and the banks.
While dairy farmers have an implied role in the plan, the responsibility to drive each task to meet a clear timeline is ascribed to one or several of the listed institutions.
For a detailed look at the 55-point plan published by Dr Seán Brady and his DEAG colleagues, visit the agriculture.gov.ie website.
* Next week: we report on the new plan, and on the proceedings at the Dairy 2020 conference.
