ICMSA president calls for ‘solidarity' among European dairy farmers
A call for 'solidarity' among European dairy farmers has been issued by the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, who is also on the executive committee of the European Milk Board (EMB).
According to Denis Drennan farmers across Europe are facing the same challenges from increasing production costs, to tightening environmental regulations, and volatile milk prices regardless of where they farm.
Drennan said extreme weather conditions during 2025, such as Storm Eowyn, highlight how 'vulnerable farmers are to factors beyond their control'.
'Difficulties in Ireland are not isolated. Whether in France, Germany, Lithuania or Spain farmers are facing rising production costs, fluctuating farm-gate prices, and a policy environment that often demands more while offering little in terms of fair market structures.
'In many regions, it is becoming increasingly clear that the survival of family farms – the backbone of our European agricultural model – is under severe threat,' Drennan added.
Dairy farmers
According to the ICMSA president this underlines why dairy farmers in Europe should show 'solidarity' to each other and why co-ordinated action at European level is 'essential'.
He has highlighted the work of the EMB on promoting a 'comprehensive approach to sustainability' which encompasses 'economic, social and environmental pillars' to secure the future of dairy farming in Europe.
According to Drennan dairy farmers need 'fair prices that cover production costs and proper market regulation that actively deals with destructive volatility and corporate margin-grabbing'.
'We desperately require political recognition of the strategic importance of family farms that must be placed at the centre of European agricultural policy.
'Recent examples, such as the successful implementation of voluntary production reduction schemes and national legislation prohibiting the purchase of foodstuffs below production cost, show that positive change is possible when the right instruments are employed.
He believes that it does not matter whether it is a dairy farmer in the likes of Ireland, Denmark, Portugal or Poland – the fact remains that they need the same supports and measures in place to strengthen the economic foundation of dairy farming.
According to Drennan this is 'a fair income, market transparency, and a viable future for the next generations of dairy farmers'.
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