Mary Wallace (Meath, Fianna Fail)

As part of the partnership agreement, it has been agreed we will engage with stakeholders with a view to having the appropriate arrangements in place. It will only be a matter of months before they are in place. As regards proper and accurate analysis, most processors now have automated equipment for testing the fat and protein content of milk, as well as the somatic cell levels. Twice yearly, the Department's dairy produce inspectorate checks that this equipment is correctly calibrated. This is done by running special samples obtained from Teagasc at Moorpark, for which the relevant values are already known. These checks are carried out without notice.

As regards the other concerns raised by the Deputy, farmers will have to raise them directly with their co-ops with respect to the ongoing situation.

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