The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, Mr Frank Allen, has expressed his support for Mr Larry Goodman, the country's largest beef processor, in the wake of comments by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates. In the Dail last week Mr Yates said that he would shed no tears if Mr Goodman withdrew from the beef industry. The Minister also said that he "had issued legal proceedings for the recovery of funds relating to AIBP Rathkeale, Co Limerick.
Mr Allen commented: "At a time when we require greater value added to home slaughtered cattle, greater connections with supermarkets in the UK and Europe, it would be a major blow to farmers if Goodman were to reduce or vacate his place in the Irish beef industry."