Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Comer mentioned the beef forum. The dairy forum is also up and running. Mr. Enright made a valuable contribution regarding tools that could be used in future. Is there any value in the dairy forum making suggestions and do the witnesses find it beneficial? It has only been up and running for a while. When dealing with farmers, nothing beats talking to them and the industry.

Processors in particular were mentioned. It was stated that they were farmer driven.

Farmers did not drive one of them very well in recent weeks when it, unlike other processors, decided to reduce the price it pays for milk. Was this reduction preceded by talks or negotiations between the ICMSA and the company in question? One wonders if a discussion needs to take place with the processors regarding the price they could pay.