Mr. Ruairí Cunningham:

The NDC may just be a vehicle in this instance. It may be being used. I know from talking to retailers we supply that they have come under sustained pressure from the IFA to support the NDC logo. One could ask why the IFA would do this. The IFA should be looking after the interests of every farmer and not just the 2,000 liquid milk farmers. What would happen if this type of protectionist policy were to be introduced in other countries? The volume of beef, pork, chicken and dairy products exported from Ireland is huge. Why would the IFA support this campaign which jeopardises all these exports and affects all farmers in the country? It is madness. As regards whether only Strathroy Dairy is being targeted, that is possible. Much will depend on what view the IFA takes on the matter now.