Management at Dairygold have confirmed that further meetings will be held this week to discuss proposed changes to the co-op’s loyalty scheme.
Yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 19th January) Dairygold chairperson, Pat Clancy, vice-chairperson Donal Shinnick and chief executive, Michael Harte met with a group of milk suppliers in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
The group included Niall Twomey, Ned O’Keeffe, Eoin Bourke, Tadgh McSweeney and Nigel Sweetnam.
The milk suppliers relayed a number of concerns raised during a meeting at the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork last Monday night (January 13), including “scrapping of the conditions around the loyalty bonus”.
The group also highlighted concerns about milk price, input prices, the borrowings of the co-op, further capital expenditure, along with supports for young farmers and new entrants.
A demonstration which the milk suppliers had been planning for this morning (Monday, January 20) outside Dairygold headquarters has been “postponed”.
The group said they hope to hear back from the co-op management by next Friday (January 24).
Dairygold
In a statement issued to Agriland this morning, Dairygold said that “the meeting was constructive and helpful in clarifying the society’s position on a range of matters which have been raised in recent weeks”.
“Yesterday’s meeting was one of many the society has held in the last fortnight and is continuing to hold this week in relation to the recent proposed changes to Dairygold’s loyalty reward scheme, which rewards members and customers for their trade with the society.
“Over the last fortnight Dairygold has sought the opinion of members who attended Dairygold’s focus groups and engaged with a wide range of other members.
“Over the coming four days the board and management are meeting the Dairygold regional committee members across six Dairygold regions, as part of its monthly engagement process,” the statement said.
“As a co-operative society, Dairygold is a democratic organisation with a very strong representative structure that allows all members to voice their opinions.
“The feedback from all of these engagements will be considered by the board later this week with a view to deciding next steps,” the statement added.