AFTER all the weeks of speculation, persuasion and opposition, the members of both Avonmore and Waterford Co-ops must now decide the fate the proposed merger of the two groups. Special meetings on Friday will determine the fate of the plan, with a requirement of 75 per cent support from both parties necessary.

While there is no doubt that Avonmore members will support the plan, opposition in certain quarters of the Waterford camp is still strong and analyst say it is impossible to forecast whether the deal will succeed in passing the voting threshold.

However, news last Friday that the ICMSA has joined the other major farming organisations in backing the deal raised hopes that the information campaign run by both groups might succeed in quieting the fears of some initially opposed to the deal and secure the vital 75 per cent support.