Lakeland Dairies to close agri-store

SIPTU said yesterday that workers at Lakeland Dairies were shocked by the announcement that the company intends to close its agri-store network by the end of the year and to cease its operations at its milk plant at Lough Egish by July 2007 with a total loss of 146 jobs.

Branch organiser Jim Mullery said the impact will be most profound for the community of Lough Egish in Co Monaghan in that Lakeland Dairies has been the main employer.

SIPTU called on agriculture and food minister Mary Coughlan to finalise arrangements for a support package for the dairy industry to help alleviate the full impact of the planned closures.