Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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280. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the proposed dairy forum will be set up; the stakeholders who will be represented on this forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14441/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware I recently announced the establishment of a forum to address the key issues arising in a post quota abolition environment and the expected expansion this will lead to in the dairy sector. I envisage that this group will comprise relevant stakeholders, including farm organisations, processors and cooperatives, state and semi state bodies, banks, environmental and other stakeholders. Such a forum is appropriate as a means of engagement on critical issues such as market developments, sustainability, animal health, milk quality and price volatility.

My Department is at present finalising the details and I expect to be contacting participants in the very near future with a view to having the first meeting in early summer. I look forward to continued cooperation to ensure that the Irish dairy sector can harness the opportunities and address the challenges that the new era of quota free production will bring.