Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) is urging the insurance industry to “deal positively” with farm-level issues arising from the aftermath of Storm Emma.

Even though the thaw has taken hold and temperatures are improving, much of the country is still in the grips of exceptional weather, with heavy snow drifts making the collection of milk on farms particularly difficult.

Conor Mulvihill, director of DII – the Ibec group that represents the dairy sector – stated: “It is clear that we are in an unprecedented situation, where companies are going as far as they can to maintain a collection service; while, at the same time, ensuring the safety of farmers, staff and animals.

As the weather warning downgrades today, collection of milk has resumed in certain areas.

However, as some parlours have not been serviced due to the exceptional weather since last Tuesday; Mulvihill says individual farmers are currently coming under increased pressure with their milk storage.

It is important that the insurance industry are pro-active with farmers in terms of what procedures are needed to be put in place to cover any losses arising from the current weather situation.

Mulvihill stressed that dairy companies and their haulage contractors will continue to “do their utmost” to reach dairy farms as soon as possible to resume collections.

Backlog

He warned that a considerable backlog will exist when collection fully resumes.

The DII also paid tribute to the “tremendous work” of hauliers in the very challenging conditions to collect as much milk as possible ahead of the arrival of the storm.