IFA pickets lifted as farmers resolve grain price dispute with Glanbia

FARMERS have resolved their dispute with Glanbia over the prices they are being paid for grain.

Members of the Irish Farmers Association staged a five-day protest outside grain mills in Portlaoise and Clonroche, Co Wexford, during which the company issued protective notices to 27 production employees.

The dispute, which took place against a difficult trading year for all involved in the grain sector, was resolved following intensive contacts and discussions between the IFA and Glanbia.

IFA Grain Committee chairman Colum McDonnell said the price offered by Glanbia has improved by €3.50 per tonne for feed barley and €2.00 per tonne for feed wheat.

In addition, growers will get a trading credit equivalent to €1/tonne on their accounts.

A spokesperson for Glanbia said it welcomed the end of the farmer pickets at its mills, which enables the return to work of its employees.

Meanwhile, the IFA Dairy Committee chairman Richard Kennedy said the decision by the Glanbia board to lift the September milk price by 2c/l was the right one.

“Glanbia milk suppliers, just like all Irish dairy farmers, have lived through the worst income crisis in a generation. For Glanbia to leave them without a September price lift, when markets were on the up for the first time in two years, and most other co-ops paid a September increase, was totally unacceptable and rightly angered farmers.

“After an intensive IFA campaign, the Glanbia board members deserve credit for re-visiting their previous decision, and increasing the September milk price by the full extent of the Irish Dairy Board’s September 2c/l increase.”