Tag Archives: dairy

Dairy is Ireland’s national treasure – it’s been part of Irish life and Irish culture for over 6,000 years. Today, dairy farming and dairy processing sustains 17,500 family-run dairy farms and supports 54,000 Irish jobs, which is 2.1% of national employment. Of course, this isn’t the whole story. Irish agriculture, including Irish dairy, accounts for around 37% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The government has tasked the sector with reducing those emissions, which are predominantly methane from animals (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from fertiliser, by 25% by 2030. In 2022, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, agriculture emissions decreased, which is good news, but there’s still a way to go. In addition, there’s an increasing focus on improving water quality and biodiversity, both of which will require continued commitment and adaptability from farmers up and down the country. All that being said, Irish milk, on a litre for litre basis, already has one of the lowest carbon footprints …

DAIRY farmers across Clare are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst as peak milk production coincides with the predicted spike in the Covid-19 crisis. In recent days, milk suppliers have been warned by Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) that if the Coronavirus causes the closure of processing plants the impact for the sector could be devastating. Responding to the stark warning, Martin McMahon, Clare Chairperson of ICMSA, said the situation was as major cause for concern. “If any of the milk plants are hit by the virus, and the risk is very real, that would present huge problems for farmers at this time of the year,” he said. “All possible precautions must be taken to protect lorry men and the staff at the dairy plants, for the sake of their own health and for the whole sector. If farmers were forced to reduce their milk volumes, the pressure would be huge. All famers, whether they’re in dairy or …

A new package of measures has been announced by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to address difficulties in the dairy and pigmeat sectors. This is good news for Clare farmers, according to Fine Gael TD Pat Breen. “These measures are very welcome for Irish dairy and pigmeat farmers. Particularly positive is the decision made by the EU Commission to allow advance payments of 70% under the direct payments scheme and 85% for rural development schemes before completion of controls. These advance payments are expected to be made to farmers in Clare by mid-October and should significantly ease cash flow, he said. Deputy Breen said this package from the EU Commission is the result of hard work at a European level by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and reflects the majority of the demands presented by the Minister to the Commission in a six point plan. “The increase of more than 100% in the rate of private storage aid for …