Farmers are also looking for stability in milk prices, with 1000 farmer suppliers attending a special IFA meeting last Tuesday.
Fourteen days have been given by the IFA for the company to pay back the 1 and half cent per litre that was taken back in June. They felt that this reduction in price was unjust and unnecessary and was bad timing on Glanbia’s part. Liam Herlihy, chairman of Glanbia, has acknowledged the problem.
This seems to be of bigger importance to farmers, who understand the world price problems in milk and are angry at recent price cuts. The Snowcream closure is seen as a consequence of the amalgamation of Avonmore and Waterford, as the drive for costs reduction is continued to be pursued. It did not dominate the meeting, but was raised by Waterford farmers.