The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has described a cut in milk price of 6p by Avonmore Co-op as a "cynical exercise".

"Only a few short weeks ago, Avonmore Waterford said they would pay the highest possible price for milk into the next century, this decision is a slap in the face of liquid milk producers" said Mr Gilmer Hamilton, chairman of the IFA's liquid milk committee.

Other dairies have cut liquid milk prices in recent months, but not by as much as 6p according to the IFA.