Stakeholders should recognise that there have been serious market disruptions across the EU arising from the coronavirus – and policy measures at EU level will be required to allow producers to adjust to the current market uncertainties, according to the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA).

This follows discussions with with farm organisations across the EU in recent days, the association said.

Commenting on the matter, ICMSA president Pat McCormack said: “We can start from the point where there has been a surge in sales at retail level in recent weeks and this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future – if not at the very high levels seen last week.

Highlighting the importance of food security, and the essential role of farmers in this, the president added:

“Certain markets and companies – particularly those supplying food service – have taken a hit and it is essential at this stage that the EU intervenes to ensure that the farmers and processors are supported in order to maintain this critical production going forward.”

“The EU is facing a major health crisis and there can be no adequate response without all links in the food-supply chain playing their role and take their responsibilities seriously,” McCormack said.

Farmers are ready right now and all we need is the EU to implement simple and specific measures aimed at ensuring that farmers can continue to deliver high-quality food to EU and global consumers through this fraught period.

“It would be important that Ireland supports such an initiative and that these kind of specific measures are introduced without delay to ensure stability in the agri-food sector,” McCormack concluded.