Speaking exclusively to the Irish Farmers Journal in Brussels this Monday, outgoing Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said that Irish dairy farmers would not be offered temporary national supply measures such as those sought by France at the Council of EU agriculture ministers.

The proposal is likely to be made available to EU countries now that European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan has endorsed it, citing requests from “a number of member states”.

Minister Coveney said he would see that as a backward step and would prefer to see Irish farmers supplying milk at improving prices that will return in time.

I don’t think we should go back to supply controls, I think this would be very negative

“No, I don’t see Irish farmers taking part in a national supply management measure as the Irish expansion has been planned and managed over a number of years,” Minister Coveney said, adding: “I don’t think we should go back to supply controls, I think this would be very negative.”

The minister was quick to suggest the doubling of intervention volumes for skimmed milk powder and butter was positive for Ireland, along with an additional promotional spend and a new export credit tool.

He expressed disappointment that there was as yet no temporary suspension of fertiliser import levies, which could benefit all Irish farmers including beef and grain farmers.

Listen to Minister Coveney in our podcast below:

Farmers put pressure on EU agriculture ministers

No payment for Irish farmers to cut milk production - Coveney

Irish dairy farmers will not be offered proposed voluntary measures that would see them paid to lower milk production, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney told the Irish Farmers Journal.