Malting barley growers vow to continue protest at Greencore plant

MALTING barley growers protested outside the Greencore Malt plant in Athy, Co Kildare, yesterday over issues including the 2009 crop price and a proposed cut in contracts.

Talks later took place between the Irish Farmers Association and the company, as the protest by the growers continued.

Growers criticised Greencore Malt for reducing the number of barley intake points, and proposing to cut contracts by 20%, as well as failing to set a price for this year’s malting barley crop.

IFA president Padraig Walshe, speaking after the talks, said the company recognised the futility of closing four intake depots so close to the harvest, and had agreed to keep them open for 2009.

However, Mr Walshe said the growers will maintain their protest at the Athy plant as no solution has been found to the substantive issues of a price for their crop and the restoration of contracts the company proposes to cut.

Mr Walshe said Tinturn and Castlebridge, Co Wexford, and Stradbally, Co Laois, will operate as tipping and re-loading points, while Emo, Co Laois, will operate as a full intake point.

The IFA claimed last week that recent events, not least the closure of grain intake depots, point to a planned exit by Greencore from the Irish, if not the complete, malt business.

But the company insisted that it remains committed to a viable and sustainable malt production industry in Ireland.

A spokesperson for Greencore Malt said changes to the intake arrangements for this year reflect market conditions.

“These do not in any way change Greencore Malt’s commitment to a viable and sustainable malt production industry in Ireland. In fact these arrangements are designed to protect it,” she said.

IFA grain committee chairman Colum McDonnell speaking ahead of yesterday’s protest, said the proposed cut in contracts will diminish the return to growers at a time when many are questioning the long-term viability of sowing a malting crop.

Mr McDonnell said price talks have not yet concluded, leaving growers in the dark about what they will be paid.

“Growers must make a margin over their production costs. Otherwise, their business will not be sustainable.

“We must move to a system that offers a price in advance of sowing to provide some certainty for growers,” he said.