The board of Boherbue met twice in the past week but has not resolved the tricky issue of whether to accept a new milk supplier whose family have been suppliers to nearby Dairygold.

Four board members resigned a few weeks ago over the row including the chair and deputy chair. The four attended a peace meeting last Wednesday evening, chaired by ICOS’s Sean Myers.

He has gone back to Dublin to devise a solution.

Then on Monday the monthly meeting of the board took place – and the four directors who had resigned were there in their seats. It turns out they were advised by management that under rule 52 they were obliged to carry out their duties for a further four weeks after submitting notice of their resignations.

This also means that chair Paty Murphy will run next Monday evening’s AGM in the hall in Boherbue.

Several issues arise that are of interest to suppliers in all co-ops. The board has now voted not once but twice to allow the new supplier join Boherbue, yet it hasn’t happened. As one supplier asked: “Who runs the co-op? If we can be overruled on this we can be overruled on anything.”

Suppliers are also linking the row to milk supply agreements (MSA) and asking if a son or daughter starting in milk has to follow the MSA signed by a parent who is now retiring. Is the MSA attached to the supplier or to the herd and parlour?

Monday’s AGM will hear that the co-op had a satisfactory 2016 during which it supported milk price. A 2% bonus for trading with the co-op will be announced.