Dairy farmers anxious over new milk levy proposal

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society has expressed concern at an announcement by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney that he will launch a consultation process around the proposed establishment of a new milk levy on dairy farmers in 2012.

According to the Minister, the funding will be "ring-fenced for dairy product promotion through Bord Bia", including the identification of new markets and opportunities to cater for expanded milk output when quotas are abolished in 2015.