Limerick Farmers Criticize Kerry Dairy Ireland CEO's Comments on Production Costs
Source: The DairyNews
Kerry Dairy Ireland, a division of the Kerry Group, is facing backlash from the farming community over comments made by its CEO, Pat Murphy, during the opening of a new Cheestrings facility in Charleville.
In a recent interview with Agriland, Murphy suggested that if some farmers can reduce production costs to 30 cents per liter, others should be able to do the same, despite acknowledging that current input costs are high. This statement, initially reported as an unrealistic 20 cents per liter, sparked outrage among dairy farmers and was heavily discussed on social media platforms.
The Limerick IFA chairman, Sean Lavery, described Murphy’s remarks as "careless, insulting, and inaccurate," expressing frustration over what he perceives as the company's disregard for the real challenges facing dairy farmers, including the pressures of high production costs exacerbated by recent adverse weather conditions.
Noel Murphy, chairperson of the ICMSA dairy committee, echoed this sentiment, demanding Kerry Group to acknowledge the reality that the costs of dairy production are substantially higher than the figures cited by their CEO. He highlighted the strain on farmers who, even with efficient practices, find production costs inevitably exceeding 40 cents per liter when accounting for labor, debt, and other operational expenses.
Responding to the controversy, a spokesperson for Kerry Dairy Ireland expressed regret over the confusion caused by the interview and acknowledged the financial pressures faced by farmers, particularly in light of the recent weather impacts on production.
The incident has ignited a broader discussion on the need for transparency and support from milk processors to their suppliers, emphasizing the critical role of accurate communication in maintaining trust and collaboration within the agricultural sector.
The Limerick IFA chairman, Sean Lavery, described Murphy’s remarks as "careless, insulting, and inaccurate," expressing frustration over what he perceives as the company's disregard for the real challenges facing dairy farmers, including the pressures of high production costs exacerbated by recent adverse weather conditions.
Noel Murphy, chairperson of the ICMSA dairy committee, echoed this sentiment, demanding Kerry Group to acknowledge the reality that the costs of dairy production are substantially higher than the figures cited by their CEO. He highlighted the strain on farmers who, even with efficient practices, find production costs inevitably exceeding 40 cents per liter when accounting for labor, debt, and other operational expenses.
Responding to the controversy, a spokesperson for Kerry Dairy Ireland expressed regret over the confusion caused by the interview and acknowledged the financial pressures faced by farmers, particularly in light of the recent weather impacts on production.
The incident has ignited a broader discussion on the need for transparency and support from milk processors to their suppliers, emphasizing the critical role of accurate communication in maintaining trust and collaboration within the agricultural sector.
