Is the Swiss dairy farming system a model for Ireland?

Switzerland has a unique structure in its dairy industry due to state supports. So I was delighted when I got the opportunity to see it firsthand recently.

Their dairy industry was protected from competition by imports up to 10 years ago. At that time, dairy farmers got 90 cent per litre (cpl). Current milk price is closer to 47cpl. However, government supports account for approximately 50pc of dairy farm income.

The Swiss government has placed emphasis on self-sufficiency in milk products to avoid rural depopulation by keeping small farms viable.