Senator Tim Lombard:

What is the position on the fixed milk price contracts that were issued by co-operative societies in the past four months? We have seen fixed milk prices going from 33 cent per litre in the South to 26 cent per litre in the North. Can the witnesses explain to me the basis on which these were formulated? Was it based on a hard or a soft Brexit? Where is the line that co-operative societies have worked on putting together that fixed milk price contract? Could we have a scenario that, where they were based on a soft Brexit, that the co-ops will be under strain? Was a conservative approach taken and if there was a good Brexit, could the farming community get a windfall?

What is the impact of Bord Bia on both the dairy and beef sector? During the last session of this meeting, we heard about the impact Bord Bia has had over the past four years in trying to secure new markets appropriate to a new regime. Are the witnesses happy with how Bord Bia has engaged and delivered on providing new markets? If there was to be a change, where would they see it needed to ensure Bord Bia was more proactive? The witnesses are the men and women at the coalface. They might have different views as to how things could be done. What changes could Bord Bia engage in with the stakeholders to ensure more productivity regarding markets?