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 January 2014, taking into account the relevant butterfat adjustment, leaves Ireland 1.52% over quota at end January. While this compares to 3.9% under quota this time last year, it represents an improvement on the position recorded at end of last month (1.63% over quota). The quota year runs until 31 March 2014.

The Minister, in welcoming the improved quota position, urged suppliers to continue their efforts, saying that ‘any corrective action farmers take over the remaining weeks will help in mitigating 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 finished 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 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.