Co-op board members talking down milk prices ‘unfair to producers’

Dairy co-op board members have been urged by the Irish Farmers’ Association to resist the temptation to talk down milk prices.

IFA National Dairy Committee chairman Seán O’Leary said current returns, accumulated 2013 profits, and bonuses from the Irish Dairy Board all justify milk prices being held.

He said fresh data from the EU Milk Market Observatory suggested producer milk prices of 38 to 39 c/l plus Vat were comfortably justified — and that’s a cent or two more than what co-ops are paying.