The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has heard directly from one of the country’s largest co-ops about the “importance of the dairy and agriculture sectors” to the local economy.
Minister Peter Burke met with Lakeland Dairies on the farm of Matt and Anne Kennedy outside Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath last week where the “necessity” of government support for agriculture and dairy farming was highlighted to him.
Colin Kelly, Lakeland Dairies’ group chief executive and the co-op’s group head of sustainability, Rory Farrell, also set out directly to the minister a range of issues that are of major concerns for the co-op’s farm families.
According to Lakeland Dairies’ these included “the critical importance” of retaining the nitrates derogation, climate targets and trade-related issues.
Co-op executives also stressed to the minister the pro-active steps that farmers are are currently taking to “enhance” water quality.
Enterprise minister
Colin Kelly, Lakeland Dairies group CEO, said the co-op and its farm families welcomed the opportunity to meet in person with the enterprise minister to communicate their concerns to him.
Kelly said: ” We are in the final stages of the current government and it is imperative that the cabinet does not lose sight of the critical juncture the agriculture sector is at.
“It can sometimes be forgotten that agriculture and, in particular, dairy farming are an economic powerhouse.
“As farmers and processors, we are creating jobs ensuring a balanced regional economy in every rural parish”.
He also said that the Irish dairy sector “is a leader in the production of safe, sustainable and nutritious dairy products” which Kelly said are in demand across the world.
But the Lakeland Dairies group CEO said there is currently “huge uncertainty” around the nitrates derogation.
“We again impressed upon Minister Burke the critical imperative of retaining it.
“We also confirmed that Lakeland Dairies and our farm families are making huge strides to deliver on the 2030 climate targets but significant further government support is required at farm and factory level to deliver on these ambitious targets.
““What we cannot have is a period of stagnation and lack of direction from the government as an election takes place while farmers and their co-ops push ahead with reaching the targets,” Kelly added.