Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said he appreciates that there are still areas of the Food Vision dairy group interim report that need agreement.

The interim report was provided to the Minister this week after a series of meetings between dairy stakeholders over recent weeks and months. The report sets out proposals by which Ireland’s dairy sector might reduce its environmental impact.

The Irish Farmers Journal reported on Wednesday that serious opposition to the recommendations included in the interim report have been expressed by the main farm organisations.

‘Work together’

While acknowledging that “agreement” is still needed on areas of the proposals, Minister McConalogue said “it is important to recognise that all parts of the sector are working together to find the best sustainable pathway forward for the sector”.

“We need to act with a sense of urgency both with our legal commitments and to safeguard Ireland’s well-deserved reputation as a sustainable producer of quality dairy products and ingredients,” he said.

The Minister urged all dairy stakeholders to “continue to work together constructively towards an agreed final report with clear and detailed metrics”.

“I look forward to receiving the final report over the course of the summer,” he said.

Minister McConalogue acknowledged group chair Professor Gerry Boyle, as well as the other members of the group for their “professional and committed engagement in this process”.

For further information on the proposals to stabilise emissions from the dairy sector which have been submitted to Minister McConalogue, see here.

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