Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that Deputy Griffin has advocated strongly on this issue. On the need to support farmers with costs, the €1,000 we have provided for fodder production costs over the summer will be important in that regard. We did not apply that payment to the dairy sector in general because, thankfully, we are seeing record prices for milk. Teagasc figures will show that the increase in the milk price is exceeding the increase in costs. As such, profits should be strong and the evidence show that activity at farm level in saving fodder has also been strong.

There is a challenge facing those on fixed-price milk contracts. The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has considered this matter. It is very important that the co-operatives also give it serious consideration. A number of them have moved to provide some support to those on fixed-price milk contracts. I encourage them to consider the issue further because undoubtedly there is considerable pressure on those locked into fixed-price milk contracts, despite the very strong prices in the general market.

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