Co-ops continue to build on Plunkett’s vision

AS a movement, farming co-ops have had an impact on the Irish economy way beyond what Horace Plunkett could have imagined when he founded the movement in the 19th century.

Though less prominent, Irish farming co-ops directly and indirectly continue to influence the evolution of the Irish dairy and broader food sectors.

More recently, that footprint went a step beyond food and dairying with the decision by One51, formerly IAWS co-op, to get involved in a joint venture to counter bid for Irish Continental Group (ICG).