There were fireworks in west Cork after suppliers to Lisavaird and Barryroe learned about the spare milk quota made available by Lee Strand, but then acquired by only to a small number of in-the-know members.

Lisavaird chair Donal Tobin and his chief executive Pat Moriarty found themselves in the uncomfortable position of being summoned at short notice to a meeting of upset suppliers in the local hall at Ballinascarty last Monday night. Worse, Tobin had to then admit that he was one of seven farmers who took some of the quota – in his case 20,000 litres. A number of other board members are also reported to have taken some.

As one supplier told The Dealer: “They couldn’t see how to share it out so they decided to keep it among themselves.”

An emergency meeting of the Lisavaird board has been called for tonight (Thursday) to discuss the ramifications.

The transaction did not break any Department of Agriculture rules.

The quota was first offered to Kerry Co-op but management there – streetwise as ever – declined on the basis that it couldn’t be divided up without a row. An ICMSA intermediary then advised the four west Cork co-ops that the quota was available for leasing from Lee Strand for a modest charge. Bandon and Drinagh refused but Lisavaird and Barryroe found the temptation too great. The milk was collected by Lisavaird and Barryroe milk tankers and processed at Carbery, where Donal Tobin is chair.

The Barryroe board was due to meet on Wednesday night to discuss the issue. There, 13 members of the co-op were able to avail of the quota – with the others not hearing even a whisper of it.