No co-ops without trust

CO-OPS must strive for greater transparency, to end any distrust which could build up between them and farmers.

In order to operate for the benefit of its user members, a co-op’s activities must be seen to be based on fairness, equity, democracy and mutual support.

These are the values needed when members pool their resources together, in order to increase their purchasing power, and boost their marketing efforts. But the dairy groups which have made Ireland a famous location for co-operation may have lost touch with some of the farmers meant to benefit from them.