John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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1146. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the work of the national dairy forum set up following the abolition of EU milk quotas. [54612/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy knows, the Dairy Forum was established in 2015 to act as a vehicle for constructive engagement on issues of strategic importance to the dairy sector. This Forum has met five times to date, and has provided a useful platform for discussion on issues such as market developments, sustainability, animal health, milk quality, price volatility, cashflow and access to finance, labour, and CAP policy.

The prospects for and ongoing development of the dairy sector are of course affected by economic, demographic, climate, currency and other factors which are outside the control of participants in the forum. However, I regard it as critically important that the policy responses to these challenges are informed by positive collaborative engagement among stakeholders, and I very much look forward to continued cooperation through the forum in the future. The next Forum will be scheduled to address issues as they arise. My Department and I are committed to working with all players in the sector to ensure that we have a sustainable dairy sector going forward.