Agri-food groups encouraged to set up co-ops under society guidelines

Agri-food groups are to the fore among groups being encouraged to set up co-ops in a new ICOS guide and business planning template.

While the new Irish Co-operative Organisation Society guide encourages new co-ops in all sectors of the economy, the model has historically been most successful in agri-food groups.

The guide has been launched by Agriculture, Marine and Food Minister Simon Coveney to mark the start of the UN International Year of Co-operatives 2012, which is also being promoted in Ireland by ICOS.

“Co-operatives have contributed immensely to economic growth and societal wellbeing in Ireland since the first co-operative organisation was founded in 1894,” said Mr Coveney. “In this UN International Year of Co-operatives, the establishment of new indigenous co-operative businesses has an important role to play in the recovery of our economy for the future.”

ICOS represents co-ops whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of €12 billion, with some 150,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland and 24,000 overseas.

Pat McLoughlin, president of ICOS, said: “The business of co-operation centres around economic viability, democratic participation in a collectively owned organisation and the practice of social responsibility throughout the community. It also requires innovation, competitiveness, operational excellence and the provision of the highest possible quality of products and services in meeting market demands at home and abroad.”

At least seven people are required to launch a co-op under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts administered by the Registrar of Friendly Societies.