Farmers protest plant closure

GREENCORE’S commitment to Irish agriculture is in question it was claimed yesterday, when up to 250 farmers protested over a decision to close Banagher Maltings in Co Offaly.

Minch Malt, part of Greencore, is to close the plant next September with the loss of 10 full-time jobs.

Some 350 malting barley growers in Offaly, north Tipperary, Galway and Westmeath will be affected.

A further nine jobs will also be lost in the firm’s agritrading branches at Banagher, Borrisokane and Tullamore. The firm said the decision to close the plant is unavoidable because of significant losses in the past few years.

Minch Malt, which has a larger plant in Athy, Co Kildare, said the decision to rationalise capacity will improve its overall competitiveness.

But IFA Grain Committee chairman Paddy Harrington told the protest, at the gates of the plant, the closure decision has delivered a double blow to growers in the midlands with the combined closure of Banagher Maltings, the Carlow sugar plant and the loss of contracts.

Mr Harrington said Greencore’s commitment to Irish agriculture was in question.

IFA deputy president Ruaidhri Deasy said the asset stripping by Greencore and chief executive David Dilger over the past nine years was unparalleled.