Independent milk tests proposed by farmers
They have taken this route after processors failed to provide independent milk testing a matter of contention with farmers for decades.
The farmers have criticised their colleagues on co-op boards for not delivering greater transparency required by farmers in milk testing by processors.
One progressive dairy farmer said, "It is no longer acceptable that the processors retain complete control over the testing of milk, which determines the price which the farmer receives. Even though the system may be perfectly fair and honest, there will always be some farmers who are less than happy with the results they are getting and will blame the processor".
"We are living in an age of greater transparency, and if the processors have nothing to hide, it is in their interest to support independent testing, but they seem to be running away from it all of the time. Producers are asking what they are scared of". Progress was made with Golden Vale, which became the first society in the country to provide independent testing.
Following the take over of Golden Vale by Kerry Group, demands have been made on Kerry Co-op to provide independent testing. But they say there is no strong demand from suppliers for independent testing.
Moves are now afoot to assemble a group of progressive dairy farmers to contract with an independent laboratory for testing their milk. The results will be compared with the constituent levels determined by the processor.
"We believe it is more economical for the processors to have a national testing centre contracted to each processor for independent milk testing, than for each processor to do their own testing.
"As a means to save costs, they should at least be making arrangements to go that way", said one dairy farmer.
