While imported milk sits on the shelves of local supermarkets a hardworking dairy farmer has been fined €18,000 for over-production of milk on his farm at Linnanagh, near Kilanerin, a few miles from Gorey.

Sam Rose found that he could not reduce his herd numbers in time to meet the quota target set for the year from April 2011 to March 2012.

“People are hungry and I get a fine for producing food,” said Mr. Rose, who is Chairman of Wexford branch of the Irish Creamery Milk Supplier’s Association.

The previous year Mr. Rose came in under quota and he expects to be under quota again this year due to the bad summer, but there is no compensation when the yield is down.

Full story in this week’s edition.