Comer reelected president of dairy farmers organisation

Ballyvary farmer John Comer has been re-elected president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), the state’s specialist dairy farmer organisation.

Of the 108 members eligible to vote, 95 cast their votes, with Mr. Comer securing 73 against 22 for the challenger, Stephen Shorten of west Cork.

Pledging to focus on three issues - ‘milk price, milk price and milk price’, Mr. Comer thanked those who had voted for him and paid tribute to Mr. Shorten who, he observed, had canvassed well and honourably and who was positive for the association.

Mr. Comer, who will now serve another three-year term, said that a year of massive challenges loomed for Ireland’s dairy farmers, who he described as the ‘foundation stone’ for the state’s most critical and valuable indigenous economic sector.

He called for a proactive approach on the part of the government and EU to combat the kind of wild price volatility experienced over the last six months.

Mr. Comer expressed hope, too, that there was now an air of change at the highest levels in Europe regarding the current manipulations and abuses of the food supply chain by multinational retail corporations. The ICMSA, he said, would lead the effort to present the compelling arguments for fair play for farmers and primary producers and an end to the relentless squeeze exerted on Europe’s farmers by the retail cartels.