The deputy president of ICMSA, Pat McCormack, has welcomed the news that any dairy farmers who missed the deadline for selling quota in the final quota exchange have the opportunity to submit their application by this Friday.
This deadline had previously been 7 February, but a number of farmers who had missed out intended selling their quota and completely exit the dairy industry. Farmers must get in contact with their co-op and submit the form before next Friday if they want to avail of this final opportunity to sell quota, he noted.
McCormack, who also chairs the Dairy Committee, also called on Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to ensure adequate funding is provided for all farmers that have valid applications for grant-aid under the final tranche of the Dairy Equipment Scheme, which closed on 31 December 2013.
“The value of grant-aid applied for in the final tranche has far exceeded the €5.5m funding currently available with ICMSA understanding that approximately 1,600 farmers have applied but it’s our opinion that the minister must ensure that additional funds and savings from other schemes are immediately transferred to fund these applications.
“The Dairy Equipment Scheme provides an excellent opportunity for farmers to get grant-aid for milking machines and milk storage equipment that will be extremely important as farmers gear-up for the abolition of milk quota in 2015”, he concluded.
Pictured Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association’s Pat McCormack
