The deputy president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Mr Pat O'Rourke, said yesterday he is confident he will unseat the president of the organisation, Mr Frank Allen, in the election on November 26th.
Mr O'Rourke, who has been Mr Allen's deputy for four years, said he will gain the necessary majority in the 60-member national executive. Longford-based Mr O'Rourke signalled some weeks ago that he was mounting a challenge to the president over his handling of farm issues. He said ICMSA members were very upset during the collapse of beef prices last year when Mr Allen told farmers they should shoot their animals rather than sell them to factories at the prices they were offering.
He said Mr Allen could serve for only two more years; there would be an election then no matter what the outcome of the vote.