Future of dairy sector
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A SERIES of top level dairy industry meetings, hosted by ICOS and attended by the chairmen, CEOs and senior executives of all milk processors in Ireland, have achieved a constructive outcome to date, according to ICOS Vice President Bertie O'Leary.
The meetings were aimed at getting agreement on the main challenges facing the Irish dairy sector and to identify key actions to address those challenges.
"The group reached consensus on what the priority issues are, including price volatility; preparation for milk expansion when quota is removed; funding for future processing investment; getting the best value from investments with a view towards avoiding duplication of facilities and achieving the best return for dairy farmers from current and expanded milk production," Bertie O'Leary said.
"It is recognised that a future restructuring of the Irish dairy industry will take time to achieve. Each participant in the dairy industry group fully recognises the importance of this process and they have committed themselves to work together for the long term benefit of the Irish dairy sector and its producers. The group will continue to meet for the purposes of sharing industry relevant information and to encourage greater co-operation across the industry to meet the challenges in the years ahead," he added.
ICOS represents over 150 cooperative businesses and organisations with a combined 150,000 individual members, 12,000 employees in Ireland and overall business turnover of some €10 billion.
Irish agricultural exports contribute over € 8.1 billion to the Irish economy each year and the sector accounts for 8.5 per cent of national employment.
