Town of Monaghan / Ballyrashane Co-op Merger Welcome – Downey

Commenting on the announcement today by Town of Monaghan Co-op and Ballyrashane Co-op of their merger to form LacPatrick Co-op, IFA President Eddie Downey said this was a welcome move to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the dairy sector in the North of the country.

“I have no doubt that this merger will benefit dairy farmers both sides of the border, by strengthening milk processing in the Northern region, by taking out cost and duplication, and by allowing for synergies,” Mr Downey said.

“I frankly hope that this will encourage the rest of the industry to examine the efficiency of its structures carefully as producer milk prices have now reached unsustainable levels, and co-ops need to arrest the slide,” he concluded.