merrion street

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced that total volume of milk supplies up to the end of December 2013, taking into account the relevant butterfat adjustment, leaves Ireland 1.63% over quota at end December. This compares to 3.73% under quota this time last year, and is up from being 1.38% over quota at end of last month. The quota year runs until 31 March 2014.

The Minister said “‘with the continued monthly increases in production it is almost certain that Ireland will now exceed its milk quota allocation at the end of the milk quota year and that some suppliers will incur a super levy fine. I would again remind farmers to have regard to their quota position in planning their production over the remaining 13 months of the quota system”. While Ireland avoided a super levy fine last year, largely due to the challenging weather conditions, the country did finish the 2011/12 milk quota year at 1.05% over quota which resulted in a €16m fine.

The Minister reiterated that the decision has been taken at EU level that quotas will continue until the end of March 2015. He again urged farmers to immediately take stock of their milk supply situation and discuss any potential over production with their co-op and their dairy advisor. He also reminded suppliers who are in, or approaching an over quota position, that they should only sell their milk through their usual purchaser in compliance with the Milk Quota Regulations and that to sell through any other channels is an offence.