At a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD, Lakeland Dairies impressed upon him the critical importance of the dairy and agriculture sectors to the local economy.
The country’s second largest dairy processing co-operative met on the farm of Matt and Anne Kennedy outside Castlepollard, Co Westmeath on Friday 6th September impressing on the Minister the need for this Government to not lose sight of the need to support agriculture and dairy farming.
At the meeting, Lakeland Dairies Group CEO Colin Kelly and Group Head of Sustainability Rory Farrell outlined to the Minister a range of issues concerning Lakeland Dairies’ farm families. These included the critical importance of retaining the Nitrates Derogation, the proactive steps farmers are taking to enhance water quality and climate targets as well as important trade-related issues.
Speaking after the meeting with Minister Burke, Colin Kelly said:
“On behalf of all our farm families and staff, I sincerely thank Minister Burke for making the time to meet with us and discuss issues of common concern. We are in the final stages of the current Government and it is imperative that the cabinet does not lose sight of the critical juncture the agriculture sector is at.
“It can sometimes be forgotten that agriculture and, in particular, dairy farming are an economic powerhouse. As farmers and processors, we are creating jobs ensuring a balanced regional economy in every rural parish.
“From local to global, Lakeland Dairies as well as the entire dairy sector is a leader in the production of safe, sustainable and nutritious dairy products that are in demand across the world.
“We have concerns, however. There remains huge uncertainty around the Nitrates Derogation. We again impressed upon Minister Burke the critical imperative of retaining it. We also confirmed that Lakeland Dairies and our farm families are making huge strides to deliver on the 2030 climate targets but significant further Government support is required at farm and factory level to deliver on these ambitious targets.
“What we cannot have is a period of stagnation and lack of direction from the Government as an election takes place while farmers and their co-ops push ahead with reaching the targets,” Colin Kelly said.