THE Irish Farmers Association has expressed its concern at Greencore's proposed £6.8 million takeover of the Williams malting and agri-trading group the chairman of the IFAs Grain Committee, Mr John O'Mahoney, said "Greencore" would have a dominant position in the Irish market" if the takeover goes ahead.

Mr O'Mahoney said "IFA will be insisting that this new arrangement does not disadvantage grain suppliers, in particular malting barley growers.

"Regarding malting barley, the IFA will be demanding that all existing contracts are maintained and that the best possible price is paid for malting barley."