With milk quotas set to be abolished from April 1, next year, dairy farmers are facing an uncertain outlook.
Volatility will be a serious issue for farmers to deal with in future, as Irish farmers are exposed to the ups and downs of world trade. It’s impossible to predict how low milk prices could drop next year, or how long farmers may have to endure lower prices. However, with milk quotas gone farmers will be able to expand for the first time since the early 1980s.
Some organisations are calling for ‘market supports’ to help cushion the transition, while others say the highs will outweigh the lows over the long-term and farmers need just ride out the imminent volatility.
Here we put forward the arguments to introduce market supports or let allow supply and demand reign.
Vote in our poll and let us know what you think.
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