Dairy farmers to outline cashflow challenges at Dáil debate

Managing market volatility and supports for farm incomes must be central to this week’s Dáil debate on the challenges facing the dairy sector, said IFA dairy chairman Seán O’Leary.

Members of the IFA’s national dairy committee are to attend the Dáil’s dairy debate on Wednesday. They will push for the prompt delivery of the EU’s proposed three-year extended payment scheme for superlevy fines, plus tax measures to help dairy farmers navigate through anticipated periods of low milk prices in the coming years.

“While it seems the fall in milk prices and incomes for 2015 may not be as severe as first thought, it will remain a very challenging year of low milk prices, relatively high costs, superlevy fines and hefty tax liabilities,” said Mr O’Leary. “Coupled with farmers’ investment commitments, both on farm, and to support the development plans of their co-ops, this year will be very challenging for most dairy farmers.