The Dealer notes with interest the appointment of a chair of the joint venture set up by ABP with Fane Valley to run Slaney and ICM.

It’s none other than recently retired Bord Bia chief executive-cum-barrister-in-training Aidan Cotter. Cotter officially retired as Bord Bia chief in January.

This one even made The Dealer sit up and take notice. I would say that I spit out my tea, but I’m off it for Lent.

As we all remember, ABP acquired the Allen family shares in Slaney and ICM last year following a referral to the EU Competition Authority. It’s a process that certainly took its time. To say that the farming organisation was strongly opposed to the deal would be putting it mildly. It finally got through the necessary hoops. However, like an ex-girlfriend who leaves you, there comes a time when you have to accept it and just get on with life. However, all the while, you’re keeping on eye on how things are going.

In the case of farmers and ABP-Slaney, this is a determination to get the price for their cattle and sheep.

This appointment of Cotter fulfils the commitment made by Fane Valley and ABP prior to the approval of the project by the competition authorities. Both companies had said the new entity would be run independently of either company, with a board made up of equal representation from both ABP and Fane Valley, with an independent chair.

However, with a board equally representing ABP and Fane Valley, we can expect a strong input by both companies in developing the Slaney-ICM businesses. It will be a tough board to chair.

Sense and nonsense

In many ways, the Cotter appointment makes sense.

He’s from the food sector, is highly respected in those circles and is regarded as a safe pair of hands. As Bord Bia chief executive, he was instrumental in driving Origin Green and Beef Quality Assurance. He showed he had vision and leadership.

In other ways, the Cotter appointment makes no sense. The link between farmers and Bord Bia remains a fractious one. Farmers associate the food board as being a body which drives the headaches of inspections. Cotter is perceived as having done little to nurture the relationship between Bord Bia and farmers.

Will Cotter bang the table to get the best price for farmers?