Ireland: Milk price, ICMSA calls for at least 48c/L for September supplies

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) is calling on dairy processors to provide farmers with a milk price of “at least” 48c/L for supplies in September. The association said that dairy markets have moved forward considerably in August and September, and called on the processors to “send a strong signal” to milk suppliers that the improvements in the market in recent weeks will be passed back “quickly” to farmer suppliers. Noel Murphy, the ICMSA’s dairy chairperson, said: “While farmers’ milk prices did increase in August, the relatively small increase did not reflect the true scale of improvement, and milk processors…need to make a very strong statement for September milk. “There is a crisis of confidence at farm level and we can’t overstate how important it is for co-op boards to look at the market and ensure that farmer suppliers are getting what they are due. “Those market-reflecting prices are desperately required if farmers are to be given a chance to start ...