"There is no solution in supply-side control," Minister Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal, re-stating the position that Ireland would not bring in such measures allowed by the temporary activation of article 222 of the regulation on EU agricultural markets to alleviate the dairy crisis.

He was speaking at an informal meeting of the EU's Council of Agriculture Ministers Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where they are discussing future food production trends.

Last week, European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan called on farmers to "take their share of responsibility" in the current oversupply situation and make use of article 222. The European young farmers' umbrella organisation CEJA called for EU-wide payments to encourage farmers to cut production and the idea has been gaining traction among farmers represented by organisations including the ICMSA and Fair Price Farming NI.

Others including the IFA argue that cutting production in just one area would only displace it elsewhere and would have no effect on global markets.

Protest

Aside from torrential rain, the ministers' Dutch visit was briefly interrupted by a protest as they left the site of a farm visit.

The ministerial party finally took a tour of an innovative 180-cow dairy farm equipped with four milking robots and a transparent plastic roof, which they were told provides more space and light while lowering construction costs.

Follow our coverage from the Netherland this Tuesday at www.farmersjournal.ie

Dairy farmers surveyed on supply control

No milk supply control, Creed tells other EU ministers

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed has opposed mounting calls for organised milk production cuts at an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers in the Netherlands this Monday.