Protesting farmers halt milk deliveries
The growers blocked the entrance to the milk powder plant with a four-wheel drive vehicle and prevented trucks making deliveries.
Irate farmers, who began their protest at 6am, demanded a meeting with Dairygold chief executive Jerry Henchy. They called off their action at 7.40am after the meeting was arranged.
A spokesman for Dairygold said the co-op is as committed in 2003 as it was in the past to paying full value for grain. The protesting growers said they were reasonably reassured following the meeting with Mr Henchy.
A spokesman said that the chief executive told them the announced interim price would be far removed from what he expects the final price would be.
The growers said they will continue to lobby Dairygold representatives on the price of barley.
Before the protest took place, the IFA had talks in Charleville with Dairygold chairman John Walsh and vice-chairman Con Hallahan.
Grain Committee chairman Paddy Harrington said the IFA was given a commitment that Dairygold’s final price will not be found wanting and will be among the leading prices paid for grain this harvest.
“After last year’s disastrous harvest, growers are entitled to benefit from the upswing in world grain prices and the final price paid for green grain must reflect this market reality,” he said.
Mr Harrington said growers should accept nothing less than €100/tonne for green barley at 20% moisture exclusive of VAT and €110/tonne for green wheat.
Earlier this week, Dairygold announced a 2003 interim price of €93/tonne for feeding barley, €110/tonne for malting barley, €100/tonne for feed wheat and €90/tonne for oats, exclusive of VAT.
The interim prices are inclusive of a top-up of €6/tonne premium, payable to all grain suppliers who meet an input purchase requirement of €25/tonne of green grain supplied.
