Kerry Cooperative Creameries Limited (Kerry Co-op) has announced the re-election of Mundy Hayes as chairman.

A dairy farmer from Kilflynn, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Mundy Hayes has been chairman of Kerry Co-op since 2016.

In a statement to AgriLand, Kerry Co-op said that Hayes has been at the helm during a challenging period for the Irish dairy industry.

Successes for Kerry Co-op

The co-op added that the board has had several significant successes:

  • The establishment of a successful management structure for the co-op;
  • The arbitrator’s report into milk price which found in favour of Kerry Co-op;
  • Kerry Co-op’s successful equity redemption scheme – over 4,500 members have availed of the scheme over the past 18 months;
  • The winning of an appeal case against the Revenue Commissioners over patronage shares (where patronage shares issued to Kerry milk suppliers are not liable to income tax).

Mundy Hayes said: “I’m delighted to have been convincingly reappointed as chair of Kerry Co-op at what is a pivotal period for the future of the co-op.

“I am particularly proud, along with board colleagues, to have put in place a strong co-op structure, without which it would have been impossible to defend and protect our farmers and shareholders.

Over the past number of years our relationship with Kerry Group plc has evolved and will continue to evolve. We have always been part of that team and will endeavour to play our part as we move forward together.

“Working with my board colleagues and our CEO, our sole focus will be to continue to deliver for our milk suppliers and shareholders,” Hayes concluded.