Based on current milk supply trends, over-quota dairy farmers look set to incur a massive superlevy bill in excess of €75 million for the final milk quota year.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced on Wednesday that the country was 5.1% over quota to the end of February. Our survey of processors this week shows March milk supplies have not decreased as expected but have actually increased. A fine of €75m for 2014/2015 would be a staggering 50% of the total amount - €145m - paid out in the 30 years since quotas were introduced.
While milk will be held on farm on Monday and Tuesday, it does appear that the situation is going to improve between now and the end of EU milk quotas on Wednesday (1 April).
ADVERTISEMENT
Many processors have already filled their annual milk quota well before the last week of quota has even started.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Based on current milk supply trends, over-quota dairy farmers look set to incur a massive superlevy bill in excess of €75 million for the final milk quota year.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced on Wednesday that the country was 5.1% over quota to the end of February. Our survey of processors this week shows March milk supplies have not decreased as expected but have actually increased. A fine of €75m for 2014/2015 would be a staggering 50% of the total amount - €145m - paid out in the 30 years since quotas were introduced.
While milk will be held on farm on Monday and Tuesday, it does appear that the situation is going to improve between now and the end of EU milk quotas on Wednesday (1 April).
Many processors have already filled their annual milk quota well before the last week of quota has even started.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS