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Tillage farmers are continuing to blockade the gates of two Glanbia mills as part of an IFA protest that began on Friday.
Farmers have remained in place at sites in Portlaoise, Co Laois, and Clonroache, Co Wexford, and have expressed their frustration at Glanbia’s grain price.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, IFA grain chair Mark Browne said farmers wanted Glanbia to offer a base price that reflected the market price.
“Growers want a grain price that is sustainable,” he said.
Dialogue
Browne confirmed that there had been a high-level meeting with Glanbia on Saturday. He said both sides had put their case forward at the meeting and were now reflecting on their respective positions.
Dialogue continues to be ongoing and further meetings are expected later in the week in a bid to progress the issue.
In the meantime, Browne said farmers would be continuing their presence outside both sites.
“As discussions are ongoing, we have no plans to escalate our action any further at this time,” Browne said.
Glanbia response
Glanbia Ireland confirmed that it had met with the IFA in relation to grain in recent days and it would continue to meet with them.
In a statement a spokesperson said: “Glanbia Ireland’s recently announced member base price is €141 per tonne for green barley, including €3 per tonne co-op support and the maximum €10/t trading bonus.
“Over 90% of the grain that Glanbia Ireland buys qualifies for the top €10/t trading bonus.
“However, given that 35% to 40% of the Glanbia Ireland harvest crop was purchased through premium contract arrangements with farmers, the average actual payment to farmers per tonne for barley is €166/t across all contracts.”
The spokesperson said prices were set by the board of Glanbia Ireland and the Glanbia Co-operative Society in consultation with the grain sub-committee, which was made up of tillage farmers.
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