Milk row over 10 cent cut intensifies
FMP rejected Glanbia Plc’s response to a letter from chairman Diarmuid Lally which sought clarification on the firm’s intention to cut liquid milk price by 10 cent per gallon.
This followed two recent meetings in Meath and Carlow, attended by over 800 members of FMP. Both meetings overwhelmingly rejected the imposition of a price cut in liquid milk costing the average producer €4,100 per annum.
FMP chairman Diarmuid Lally said: “Producers see the cut as completely unnecessary and a direct attempt by Glanbia Plc to enhance corporate profits and shareholder returns at their expense“.
FMP sought a meeting with Glanbia Plc chairman Tom Corcoran and group chief executive John Moloney following the producer meetings to outline the seriousness of the crisis but the firm will only accede to such a request in the middle of next week.
Diarmuid Lally said: “It is obvious that Glanbia Plc are intent in forcing an unjustified price cut which will cost 1,200 farm families €5 million at a time when rising costs are already cutting producers’ incomes.
“This is highly regrettable as it has the potential to do irreparable damage to relationships between the company and its loyal year-round milk suppliers who represent one third of the company’s milk pool.”
Many producers have told FMP they have closed their trading accounts with the firm and protests are ongoing outside a number of plants and depots.
FMP chairman said: “I am open to meeting with Glanbia senior man- agement to present FMP’s case in a crucial situation“.
