The challenge for the co-operative movement is to provide a clear direction to both farmers and the industry after the expansion of the dairy sector in recent years, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) AGM heard on Monday.

ICOS president Jerry Long told the society’s 125th AGM that co-ops have performed brilliantly over the past decade.

He highlighted new processing facilities and routes to market for extra milk farmers wanted to produce.

However, Long said the question had to be asked if expansion could continue at such a rate.

“We have legal commitments on climate change, air and water quality and biodiversity, as well as increasing restrictions reflecting necessary practices and consumer expectations on calf welfare.

“We simply can’t rush headlong into the huge herds and associated problems seen by our friends in New Zealand,” he said.

There was also a need to acknowledge that dairying is “interconnected and interdependent” with the beef and tillage sector.

Farmers and industry need clear direction after expansion – ICOS

While co-ops have performed well in handling dairy expansion, the question now had to be asked what the next step is, ICOS president Jerry Long has said.