European court rules against IFA on milk

THE European Court of Justice yesterday ruled against the Irish Farmers Association in a long-running dispute over the reduction of milk quotas in 1993.

The IFA and four of its members, suing the Minister for Agriculture in the High Court, had argued that the previous temporary suspension of parts of the Irish milk quota, made permanent in 1993 because of a glut in the EU market, had raised legitimate expectations among farmers that the full quota would be restored or that farmers would be compensated for its permanent loss.

The issue now returns for final adjudication to the High Court which will also determine costs.