HUNDREDS of dairy farmers took to the streets of Charleville this Tuesday to protest over the price Kerry are paying for milk compared to other co-ops with one saying “it is the straw that broke the camel’s back”. It is the start of a campaign to “bring Kerry PLC into line with other processors on milk price - 3+ cents per litre behind others is totally unacceptable”. “A path needs to be mapped out for suppliers that will ensure a fair price going forward,” say the organisers of the protest which was a grassroots movement. An estimated 500 met at Kerry’s red brick building on the Kilmallock Road before marching peacefully to Kerry’s area office on the Old Limerick Road. Many Limerick farmers participated including prominent figures Seamus Crawford, Garryspillane, Ger Quain, Creggane and Mike O’Flynn, Newcastle West. Mr Crawford is a current Kerry Co-op board member while Mr Quain and Mr O’Flynn are former Kerry Co-op board members. The trio were asked to deliver a letter to Kerry Ireland Dairy Management. It read: ‘It is with regret that we have no choice but to come and protest here today” before setting out eight points including “your failure in honouring our contract with you, to deliver the leading milk price”, the arbitration case and “significant amount of money you owe us for the last number of years”. The letter concluded: “It is time you reflect on the above because this is only the beginning of our campaign to ensure fair play and sustainability for all of our futures.” Mr Crawford said: “We impressed upon them we weren’t there just to fix the May milk price, the €80m to €100m that is owed historically that we won in arbitration case - that is on the table as well. It is the start of the campaign. They are going to have to sit down seriously and talk to us.” A number of the protestors had placards, many which referred to the “leading milk price” and one read: “We own our milk pool - pay up or we will take it away.” IFA, ICMSA and Macra all
In Pictures: Limerick farmers take lead as hundreds attend Kerry protest
