Mar 09, 2010

All Co-ops Must Raise February Milk Price   -   ICMSA

Commenting on the decision of Glanbia to raise its February milk price to 26 cents per litre, Mr. Pat McCormack, Chairperson of ICMSA's Dairy Committee said that all other Co-ops should immediately follow suit and increase their February milk price in order to alleviate some of the financial pressures on farmers and to reflect the improved market situation.

While the decision is welcome, the reality, Mr. McCormack said, is that even at this price, dairy farmers are still producing milk below the cost of production.     Dairy farmers are under huge pressure after the disastrous milk price of 2009 as well as the massive level of debt at farm level due to nitrate related investments and very poor weather conditions over the last twelve months.  

If dairy farmers are to have a future, milk prices must return to sustainable levels quickly in order to allow farmers meet their debts and the Glanbia decision should be viewed as a first step in this direction that must be immediately followed by all Co-ops, concluded Mr. McCormack.    

Ends      9 March 2010

Pat McCormack,

Chairperson, ICMSA Dairy Committee             087-7608958

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