This week’s call from ICOS for recognition of ‘Irish Milk’ as coming from the island of Ireland has been welcomed by the management of Strathroy Dairy
Company director Ruairi Cunningham said there is a need for an all-island approach to milk produced here, particularly given the threat posed by Brexit.
“The agricultural industry has always operated on an all-island basis over the years, in all its sectors.
“Agricultural products, including milk,have been traded throughout the island, to the benefit of the primary producer and processor alike. Producers have kept this trade alive as they appreciate the value and benefits of competition.”
The primary producer is the one who stands to bear the brunt of Brexit, in whatever form it may take.
“Limiting the potential damage to them must be our primary focus. While we welcome ICOS’s focus on milk at this time, we must broaden our scope to include all agricultural products. All primary producers must be protected as much as possible.”
Cunningham was responding to a statement from ICOS President Martin Keane following recent discussions with the EU Commission’s Brexit negotiating team.
The ICOS representative said that one of the solutions put forward by his organisation to the Commission centred on the recognition of ‘Irish Milk’ as coming from the island of Ireland.
Cunningham agrees with such a policy being established. He said that restrictions to trade in agricultural products on the island, in whatever form, should be strongly resisted by farming organisations and Government alike.
This is not a new stance being taken by Strathroy. Indeed, we argued this very point in a submission to the Oireachtas Agricultural Committee in November 2013.
“Brexit is a threat to the economy of the entire island, not just the border region. Negotiation and solutions cannot be based on individual self-interest.
“Strathroy is keen to play its part in developing a solution for all our producers, north and south.”