Dairy farmers facing a double threat due to super levy fines

Dairy farmers are facing a double threat in the form of super levy fines coming on top of the present price squeeze, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers has warned.

Pat McCormack, its deputy president, said figures from the Department of Agriculture showed milk supplies at the end of last month were 6.9% over quota.

He said he was in no doubt the figures indicate a challenging cashflow situation . “The projected super levy could be close to €110m given the current percentage over runs and, instead of slowing down, September showed a further increase in the projected super levy figure,” he said.

“Farmers need to be very mindful and much more alert to the scale of the potential fine that will come their way.