In total, the programme was almost fully subscribed, with a 98.9% uptake, across all EU states.Commissioner Hogan said the scheme had proven to be attractive to farmers and he was pleased with the level of participation by the main dairy producing member states.
In total, the programme was almost fully subscribed, with a 98.9% uptake, across all EU states.
Commissioner Hogan said the scheme had proven to be attractive to farmers and he was pleased with the level of participation by the main dairy producing member states.
"I am confident that this measure, allied to others included in the July and earlier packages will contribute further to an already stabilising market", the Commissioner said.
Despite signs of a lift in the dairy industry in recent times, Hogan said his main objective remains to be improving market sentiment, which would translate "into higher farm-gate prices to the benefit of producers".
Irish uptake
It was revealed yesterday that Ireland had the third highest volume of applications for the €150m voluntary milk reduction production scheme.
EU member states had until last Wednesday 21 September to notify the European Commission of the number of farmers who were interested in taking up the 14c/litre reduction scheme.
A total of 4,447 farmers from the Republic of Ireland applied to the scheme. France had 12,957 farmers apply while 9,947 German dairy farmers applied. In total, 52,101 farmers from across the European Union applied. Exactly 1,849 farmers from the UK applied.
Milk volumes
While Ireland has the third highest number of dairy farmers applying for the scheme, other countries have applied for significantly higher volumes to be reduced. The dairying powerhouses of Germany, France, Netherlands and the UK have applied for more milk volumes.
In total, farmers applied for aid for 1.06m tonnes of milk. Of that figure, Irish farmers applied for 74,225t of milk. Germany applied for 286,049t, France applied for 181,398t while the UK applied 112,028t.
The average application from farmers in Ireland was 17t or 17,000 litres.
Reopen
Overall this means that the first round of the scheme for the months October, November and December is not oversubscribed.
The €150m voluntary reduction scheme is one aspect of the total €500m aid package for European farmers announced last month. Of the remaining €350m package, Ireland is receiving €11.1m, which the Government will match with Exchequer funds
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed has yet to decide how he will spend this money but the Department of Agriculture is understood to favour a support package for all livestock farmers, not just dairy farmers.
Read more
Minimum litres needed to apply for scheme
This isn't supply management it's 'tomfoolery'
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: