Protest over malting barley price

THE Irish Farmers’ Association will stage a protest outside the Greencore Malt plant in Athy, Co Kildare, today over the price being paid to growers for malting barley.

It has warned malsters, brewers and distillers that they will no longer be guaranteed a secure supply of barley unless they pay a fair price.

IFA Grain Committee chairman Colum McDonnell said Greencore Malt and Diageo are abusing their dominant market position by forcing their suppliers to take less than market value for their produce.

They are also passing on their increased costs to consumers.