Journal of Co-operative Studies, 59(1), 48-56 | UK Society for Co-operative Studies

_{Open access}

_{Short article (Editorial Review)}

_{Published online: July 2026}

Influence of European policy on dairy co-operative strategy in Ireland, 1975-1985

Tadgh Quill-Manley

_{King's Inns, Dublin, Ireland}

_{Vol 59, No 1, pp. 48-56}

_{DOI: https://doi.org/10.61869/RJIM3505}

Abstract

This short paper explores how European agricultural policy, notably the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), significantly influenced the strategic trajectory of dairy co-operatives in Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s. The CAP sought to stabilise agricultural markets and provide a reasonable standard of living for farmers by implementing measures like fixed pricing and export subsidies that encouraged dairy production within the European Economic Community (EEC). This presented both possibilities and problems for Irish dairy co-operatives. On one hand, the CAP established a conducive climate for development by guaranteeing price stability and market access, allowing Irish dairy co-operatives to expand considerably. On the other, the expansion necessitated structural and operational modifications. Co-operatives needed to upgrade production facilities, adopt more efficient management, and improve marketing to compete in the growing EEC market. The 1984 milk quotas were pivotal, forcing co-operatives and suppliers to adjust output, affecting long-term planning and investment. The interaction of European policy and the global dairy market required Irish co-operatives to adapt strategies to boost efficiency, maintain profitability, and ensure sustainable growth. These proactive steps laid the foundation for the strong global presence of the Irish dairy industry today.

_{How to cite this article: Quill-Manley, T.(2026).Influence of European policy on dairy co-operative strategy in Ireland, 1975-1985 . Journal of Co-operative Studies, 59}_{(1), 48-56. https://doi.org/10.61869/RJIM3505}

Read full text →

PDF (448 KB)

Download

_{Breathnach, P. (2004). The role of Dungarvan Creamery in the Irish dairy co-operative movement [Lecture]. Waterford County Museum. https://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/dungarvan-creamery/}

_{Breathnach, P. (2014). The evolution of the spatial structure of the Irish dairy processing industry. Irish Geography, 33(1), 166-184. https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.2000.310 (Original work published 2000).}

_{Cahill, L. (1982, March 6). Good response to new winter milk schemes. Irish Farmers Journal, p8.}

_{Central Statistics Office. (2025a). AKM01 - Intake of cows milk by milk processors and co-ops [Data set]. Central Statistics Office. https://data.gov.ie/dataset/akm01-intake-of-cows-milk-by-milk-processors-and-co-ops

Central Statistics Office. (2025b). AKA02 - Milk Sales (Dairy) for Human Consumption [Data set]. Central Statistics Office. https://data.gov.ie/dataset/aka02-milk-sales-dairy-for-human-consumption

Clancy, B., & Wright, A. (2013). The Irish dairy industry: Globalisation, competition, recession, & consumerism. Business and Economic Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.5296/ber.v3i1.3454

Deasy, A. (1985, November 6). Written answers - Milk cessation scheme. Dáil Éireann debate, 361(6). Houses of the Oireachtas. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1985-11-06/68/

Dillon, P. (2011). The Irish dairy industry - Planning for 2020. In Teagasc (Ed.), National Dairy Conference, 2011. The Irish dairy industry: To 2015 and beyond (pp. 1-24). Teagasc. https://teagasc.ie/wp-content/uploads/media/website/publications/2011/Dairy_Conference_Proceedings_2011.pdf

Donnellan, T., Hennessy, T., & Thorne, F. (Eds.). (2015). The end of the quota era: A history of the dairy sector and its future prospects. Teagasc. https://teagasc.ie/publications/

Doyle, P. (2014). "Better, farming, better business, better living": The Irish co-operative movement and the construction of the Irish nation-state, 1894-1932 [Doctoral thesis, University of Manchester]. https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/better-farming-better-business-better-living-the-irish-co-operati/

Eurostat. (n.d.) Archive: Milk and milk products - 30 years of quotas. Eurostat. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Archive:Milk_and_milk_products_-_30_years_of_quotas

Fanning, A. (1979, October 10). Dairy men no longer ready to be scapegoats. Irish Independent, p.7.

Fanning, A. (1980, May 6). The cut-throat business of co-ops. Irish Independent.

Forfás. (2007). Ireland's co-operative sector. Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/ireland-s-co-operative-sector.html

Hennessy, T., Shrestha, S., Shalloo, L., Wallace, M., Butler, A. M., & Smyth, P. (2008). An examination of the implications of milk quota reform on the viability and productivity of dairy farming in Ireland. Teagasc. http://hdl.handle.net/11019/855

Irish Co-operative Organisation Society. (2011). Diary industry expansion. Readying the Irish dairy sector for future market opportunities - Review of seasonality, working capital and objective pricing. ICOS Dairy Progress, 1. https://www.icos.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/icos-DairyProgress-August-20111.pdf

Irish Farmers Journal. (1976, June 12). 1½ p Levy for Irish Milk Men? Irish Farmers Journal, p.3.

Irish Farmers Journal. (1978, January 21). Milk levy for European Court. Irish Farmers Journal, p.5.

Irish Farmers Journal. (1983, April 30). Milk war spreads to Limerick. Irish Farmers Journal.

Irish Farmers Journal. (1984, April 7). Quota problems need to be resolved. Irish Farmers Journal.

Irish Farmers Journal. (1985, April 20). Milk producers with special difficulties under the super-levy. Irish Farmers Journal, p.4.

Irish Independent. (1977, June 2). Waterford Co-op's Substantial Increase in Profits. Irish Independent, p.11.}

_{Irish Independent. (2009, July 9). Co-operative Creameries in Ireland. Irish Independent. https://www.independent.ie/news/co-operative-creameries-in-ireland/27071107.html

Jenkins, W. (2015). Restructuring of Irish dairy co-operatives since 1950: An example from County Tipperary. Irish Geography, 29(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.1996.395 (Original work published 1996)

Keane, M. (1991). Changes in the size structure of Irish dairy farms. Irish Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, 14, 67-74. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25556580

Kennedy, L. (1976). Social and economic aspects of co-operative amalgamation: A case study. Irish Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, 6(2), 103-114. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25556421

Limerick Leader. (1985, November 30). Cessation premium. Limerick Leader, p.25.

Moran, C. (2015, July 31). 144,000 Irish farms dairying since 1975 - there are still 1.3m cows to be milked. Agriland. https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/144000-irish-farms-dairying-since-1975-there-are-still-1-3m-cows-to-be-milked/

Nilsson, J., & Gunnarsson, P. (2000). The PLC Co-operatives in the Irish Dairy Sector. In J. Birchall (Ed.), The world of co-operative enterprise 2000 (pp. 67-78). Plunkett Foundation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312988467_The_PLC_Co-operatives_in_the_Irish_Dairy_Sector

Norton, J. (1985, May 14). Bank chief reviews outlook for agriculture. Irish Independent, p.15.

Ó Fathartaigh, M. (2014). Irish agriculture nationalised: The Dairy Disposal Company and the making of the modern Irish dairy industry. Institute of Public Administration.

O'Connor, R. (1984). The current CAP crisis. Paper read to CIBA-Geigy Crop Protection Distributors Conference, Berkeley Court Hotel, Dublin, 19 January 1984 [Memorandum Series 166]. The Economic & Social Research Institute. https://www.esri.ie/publications/the-current-cap-crisis-paper-read-to-ciba-geigy-crop-protection-distributors

O'Connor, R., & Kelly, P. (1980). A study of industrial workers' co-operatives [Broadsheet No. 19]. The Economic and Social Research Institute. https://www.esri.ie/publications/a-study-of-industrial-workers-co-operatives

Ryan, R. (2015, May 25). Foundation stone for Irish dairy. Irish Examiner. https://www.irishexaminer.com/farming/arid-20332691.html

Tarrant, J. R. (1980). Production and disposal of surplus EEC milk products. Area, 12(4), 247-252. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20001616

Waterford News & Star. (1977, October 6). Year of Solid Achievement. Waterford News & Star.}