Milk prices and farm incomes
Michael Healy-Rae raises farmers’ fears of a 50% income reduction from falling milk prices and asks about Government action. The Taoiseach says the agriculture minister is meeting the dairy sector and will consider the global market pressures.
The Taoiseach will be aware of the serious concerns that have been expressed about the price of milk next year. Farmers are in shock at the proposed 50% reduction in their incomes. Under the European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Bill 2014, will the Government ensure that the new Commissioner will work to maintain milk prices?
Comment on this
The Deputy will have to ask that question separately by way of a Topical Issue or another means.
Comment on this
That Bill was enacted last October. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is meeting representatives of the milk sector today. There are global implications due to the scale of productivity internationally with big producers. For many years Ireland has been constrained because of quotas. This is why it is important we keep raising capacity in Ireland into the future as an issue. The Minister is meeting with the sector today to see what might be done.