Both the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Irish Sugar have made separate offers of negotiation in the dispute over beet prices that has closed both of Irish Sugar’s plants this week. But the parties differ on the framework for talks.
Irish Sugar has offered to enter negotiations over the dispute that threatens around 650 jobs at their plants in Carlow and Mallow both of which have been temporarily shut down as a result of the withdrawal of beet supplies.
Having originally refused to negotiate with the IFA over what it says is the beet suppliers "unlawful" action in withdrawing supplies, the company announced today that they would enter discussions provided the IFA agree to an "expert, independent, adjudication system" for setting prices in future.
After a meeting with the junior Minister for Agriculture, Mr Noel Davern, Irish Sugar chief executive Mr Sean Brady urged the IFA to "work constructively towards the settlement of the dispute."
However, the IFA President Mr Tom Parlon, who also met Mr Davern today, has called for negotiations without preconditions and said Irish Sugar should take up former taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds’ offer to mediate in the dispute.
"IFA remains willing to have constructive negociations with Greencore [Irish Sugar’s parent company], without any preconditions, and the involvement of Mr Reynolds as a mediator would give this process the best chance of success," Mr Parlon said.
As yet, there has not been an announcement by the Department of Agriculture nor the two parties on whether talks can take place. A High Court hearing in which the IFA will seek to have an injunction obtained against the association organising the withdrawal of beet supplies will go ahead tomorrow.