IFA urges dairy farmers not to sell over-quota milk illegally

The IFA is urging dairy farmers to see the bigger picture and not risk their future right to produce milk by illegally selling their over-quota supplies to northern buyers to avoid likely super levy fines.

Unconfirmed reports of trucks heading north of the border with large quantities of milk bought directly from Cork farmers have hastened an urgent response from the IFA dairy spokesmen at both local and national levels.

“I have heard figures quoted for what people are getting in cash, so there is substance to it,” said Seán O’Leary, vice-chair of the IFA’s dairy committee. “I have heard stories of this operating in and around Cork City. It’s lunacy. For a short-term gain, it makes no sense to risk to put your future in milk production into question.”