Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard has called for co-ops to show solidarity with hard pressed farmers by not dropping the price of milk and 'shoulder' some of the pain of the economic downturn. Senator Tim Lombard said: “Last month a number of processors decreased the base milk price due to the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on dairy market returns. “The co-ops are meeting this week to set their purchasing price for milk sold in April and I am urging processors to show some solidarity with our farmers. Our rural farming communities need co-ops to shoulder some of the burden of this economic downturn and offer fair prices for their produce. “With the reduction in milk purchasing price co-ops are currently set to make large profits during the biggest health crisis since 1918.

Source: Irish Independent May 13, 2020 10:30 UTC