The system, which has been in place for over 30 years, comes to an end leaving the way open for farmers to increase their herd sizes and production immediately.
There are several events planned to mark the end of quotas, with a milk party being held in Grangemockler tonight.
The imposition of the milk quotas in the early 1980 – to counteract the growing milk lakes and butter mountains heralded a new era in dairy farming- resulting in age old traditions fading and smaller creameries closing – and now once again the sector is preparing for new dawn ..
The end of quotas, which has been described as the most important policy shift in the EU agriculture regime in a generation, will affect farmers in all 28 member states.
Ireland is set to capitalise on the abolition with an increase in production…it's expected milk production will have increased 50% by 2020.
Former President of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association and Thurles Fianna Fail Councillor Jackie Cahill says he expects expansion across the country
Junior Agriculture Minister and Tipperary Fine Gael TD Tom Hayes says since the announcement was made to abolish milk quotas, a large amount of planning has been done by both processors and farmers.
Sean O'Leary, Chairman of the IFA Dairy Committee, says the herd size is set to increase to an average of 80 cows in the coming years.
To mark the occasion, several events are planned right across the country including a 'milk party' in Grangemockler tonight which will include the symbolic milking of a cow under the quota regime for the last time just before midnight.
After midnight, four 12-year-olds take over the milking and could well be the first people in Europe to milk a cow in the post-quota era.
Ninemilehouse musician John Bermingham, who gave up dairy farming because of the restriction of quotas, has also written a song to mark the historic occasion.
The event will get underway in the community hall from 9.30 this evening
