During the annual general meeting of the farmers, Alliance Group meat cooperative has said that it will again be discussing the merger of two companies in December. This is with respect to the efforts followed by Silver Fern Farms, which is a former PPCS Cooperative.

But, Alliance Group chairman Owen Poole also made it clear that the board of directors of the group are not open to such idea. Meanwhile, the directors of Silver Fern Farms have already published in southern newspapers that they are seeking views on the merger of the two entities.

Not happy with such a step, Owen said that informal 'poll' of competitor shareholders is not the right thing to do and this cannot initiate fresh talks.

Meanwhile, in the newspaper advertisements, chairman Eoin Garden of Silver Fern chairman has said along with poll reports that there is a gap in leadership and that can be filled only with merger.

The meat industry is in need of consolidation and change in ownership structure. This is important if the farmers are to get proper return. The environment when the Alliance Group had completely rejected the deal is very different from what it is now.