Heydon engages with ICOS on future of Irish dairy sector
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has met with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) to discuss the future of the Irish dairy sector.
Minister Heydon met with ICOS in NAAS on Friday (May 9) where a broad range of critical issues impacting the Irish co-operative dairy industry were discussed.
The meeting also brought together the wider group of chairs of all ICOS dairy co-operative members, demonstrating a united front on the sector’s shared priorities.
ICOS dairy committee chairperson, Niall Matthews and ICOS president, Edward Carr expressed appreciation for the ministers engagement with co-operatives across Ireland.
Matthews said: "We are grateful to Minister Heydon for taking the time to meet with us and for his willingness to listen and engage on the key issues affecting our members.
"Since the end of milk quotas, the Irish dairy sector has played a vital role in our national and rural economy, underpinned by our co-operative model, grass-based production and family-farm structure."
"These core strengths must guide us as we face today’s environmental, economic and generational challenges,” he added.
Matthews highlighted the dairy sector’s commitment to "environmental stewardship", citing increased co-op funding of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP), and the roll-out of the ‘Farming for Water’ European Innovation Partnership (EIP).
He also welcomed the government's commitment to retaining Ireland’s nitrates derogation, which he said allows for more intensive grass-based dairy production under strict conditions.
"Collectively, we must continue the most assertive levels of representation to convey to the EU Commission all that is being achieved by farming communities in relation to the sustainability and environmental priorities," Matthews said.
The meeting also focused on the pressing need for generational renewal within the farming community.
Matthews believes that farming is a deeply rewarding career, but the increasing average age of farmers highlights the need for "urgent action".
He said: "We must support younger farmers through incentives and tax reforms, while also providing dignified pathways for older farmers including a retirement scheme."
