When the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and Food Vision Group met earlier this week, ICOS raised the matter that there is a need for family farms to be protected, and given options to grow in a sustainable manner.
Discussions at the meeting revolved around concerns facing the dairy industry. The group has been tasked with prospecting ways for the dairy sector to help achieve targets for agriculture and land use in the Climate Action Plan 2021.
According to ICOS, the dairy industry should be allowed to increase productivity at a reasonable rate, as this would be essential for a viable dairy industry in the future. As the group is committed to existing scientific pathways, it has led to new technologies being developed in the sector.
However, ICOS says that the focus of the group should be carbon, not milk and welcomed recent clarification from Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue that his department has no proposals to reintroduce milk quotas.
The society presented information on the voluntary retirement scheme, following a request from the Food Vision Dairy Group. The scheme, which commenced on 1 January this year, is funded by Glanbia milk suppliers. The temporary measure formed part of the processor’s Peak Supply Management Policy. The scheme offered a farmer a once-off opportunity to leave milk production with a monthly retirement income for five years, up to a maximum annual payment of €15,000.
ICOS outlined that it is not its policy to seek a national retirement scheme, but said it is open to a discussion, as long as any scheme is publicly funded.