Co-op share rethink

CO-OPS are discussing how to continue the principle of shareholding proportionate to members’ use of the co-op, after milk quotas are abolished by the EU in 2015.

ICOS is consulting with all of its dairy co-op members to formulate a draft shareholding policy.

Most co-ops are obliged to accept all milk offered by a member, up to their quota, and the member undertakes to supply all of their milk to the co-op. But this policy may not provide for milk volume growth after 2015, and the consequences for processing capacity and investment.