Milk suppliers protest against cut

KERRY GROUP milk suppliers are planning protest action at some of the group’s plants, following a six to seven cent cut in price per gallon.

The 320 farmers involved provide liquid milk that which consumers purchase in the shops to the Dawn Dairies plants in Killarney, Limerick and Galway. Yesterday, the farmers claimed they would bear losses of between 10 cent and 13 cent per gallon, with some suffering a 20% drop in income as a result of the reduction.

However, the group insisted the cuts would average six to seven cent and urged suppliers to face up to market realities, pointing out that lower-priced milk from the North had 16% of the market in the Republic. Last weekend, 250 Kerry supplier/shareholders attended a stormy meeting, in Limerick, at which, sources claimed, a vote of no confidence was passed in management.