Agriculture Committee to consider work of National Milk Agency

24 November 2014

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will tomorrow hear from the National Milk Agency, which regulates the supply of milk for liquid consumption throughout the State.

The National Milk Agency was established by the Oireachtas to regulate the supply of milk for liquid consumption throughout the State in accordance with the provisions of the Milk (Regulation of Supply) Act, 1994. Chairman Denis Murphy and Chief Executive Dr Muiris Ó Céidigh will be before the Committee to outline the 2013 Annual Report.

Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “Tomorrow's meeting will be a valuable opportunity to hear from the Chairman and CEO of the National Milk Agency, whose membership comprises producers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers. With more than 85 percent of our dairy products exported, 2013 saw an increase of almost four per cent in annual domestic milk supplies to a record 5,420 billion litres. As well as discussing figures and trends, the Committee will wish to follow up with the Agency’s representatives on how the relationships between primary producers, processors and the supermarket retailers have been evolving. Previous discussions with the Agency last year considered the on-going pressure on pricing those farmers who are supplying the liquid milk trade are experiencing and flowed into a key Committee Report on the Grocery Goods sector.”

Separately, the Committee will discuss a motion on the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2014. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD will outline the rationale for the proposed funding to the horse and greyhound industries next year, which amounts to €68 million.

Deputy Doyle continues: “The Committee welcomes the opportunity to question the Minister on the proposed state funding for the horse and greyhound industries in 2015. It is critical that all state funding be closely scrutinised and evaluated. In line with Budget 2015, the Minister proposes to provide €68m to the Fund next year. The Committee will consider tomorrow whether the proposed funding is appropriate and proportionate, bearing in mind the impact of the industry on the economy of rural Ireland in particular.”

The meeting takes place tomorrow Tuesday 25 November in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 at 2 pm. Commencing with engagement with the National Milk Agency, public proceedings can be viewed online here.

View Committee Membership.

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Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
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Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie