Munster Express Online

Just hours after the closure of the Snowcream plant in Waterford city was announced, around 700 angry farmer shareholders issued a milk price ultimatum to the company – warning that otherwise their next gathering “will not be indoors”.In what was one of the largest Glanbia suppliers’ meetings ever held – organised by the IFA as a follow-up to one in Dungarvan three weeks ago – farmers told Glanbia chairman Liam Herlihy and the six other board members present they had a fortnight to refund the “premature and unjustified” June 1.5c/l price cut.

They also demanded that the group to use its scale and commercial muscle to pay the top milk price in the country. Mr Herlihy, from Knockanore, Co Waterford, gave a commitment to “bridge the gap” in prices between Glanbia and the better payers.

IFA President Padraig Walshe said that despite commitments given at the time of the Avonmore-Waterford merger, plc executives were “clearly prioritising the interests of the stockmarket, who were guaranteed double digit profit growth for 2008, by seeking to purchase milk as cheaply as possible”.

However, he asked suppliers to give the Glanbia Board two weeks to come up with a solution, and the meeting reluctantly agreed.