DEAR SIR: Thank you for your article on to the actual milk price paid by Irish co-ops. For too long they have included VAT and top-ups as part of the base price. VAT is only a repayment on input costs already paid for by farmers and has no business being included in base milk prices. As for the top-ups, they are a loyalty payment to farmers for trading with the co-ops and should be returned as dividends and not milk price supports. Please continue to quote milk price without VAT and top-ups and soon farmers will realise the low price they are receiving for their milk.

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