The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced that the total volume of milk supplies up to the end of January 2015, taking into account the relevant butterfat adjustment, leaves Ireland 5.47% over-quota. This figure continues the downward trend in the over-quota figure in recent months, which was 7.15% in October.  It is still, however, significantly above the 1.52% over-quota position of this time last year. The quota year will end on 31 March 2015 when EU milk quotas will be abolished.

Referring to the overrun, the Minister commented “this continued downward trend in the over-quota figure is welcome as it reduces the exposure of farmers to superlevy payments. I note that the monthly intake of milk in January was 13% down on the same month last year, following on from an 18% reduction in December 2014 compared to the December 2013 intake.”

“I would encourage milk producers, with the help of their advisors, to continue managing milk production in the remaining important production weeks to the end of March. The abolition of milk quota presents a massive opportunity for the Irish dairy sector and one which we should look forward to with confidence. However, it is important that dairy farmers plan prudently for this new era.  I will continue to work closely, right up to the 31^st March, with other EU Ministers and with Commissioner Hogan to seek any available measures which can ease the burden of superlevy payments, but on the basis of discussions at EU level to date, farmers should work on the basis of an assumption that superlevy rules will apply, albeit for the last time, in 2015.” 

Date Released: 18 February 2015