The planned dairy reduction scheme, is it a runner?

For some, the scheme will be welcome and will give an off-ramp to allow them to exit with dignity and a degree of financial security.  File picture: Andy Gibson.

What came to light this week was the revelation that a modelling document of how a dairy reduction scheme might work was circulated within the Department of Agriculture earlier this year. 

The figure of €3,000 per cow has been touted, with the model suggesting 65,000 dairy cows being taken out of the system each year from 2024 to 2026 as a measure to assist in the reduction of methane emissions from agriculture. Industry, co-ops, representative organisations and the Department of Agriculture came together over the past few years to form the Dairy Vision Group and as part of the 19 recommendations issued by the group, a dairy reduction scheme was proposed.