Farmers Co-operative Dairy Limited and Agropur Cooperative Merge

“By joining forces we believe that the new merged entity will be well equipped to ensure a sustainable dairy industry in the Atlantic Provinces” said Jeannie van Dyk, Chairman of Farmers Dairy and a dairy farmer from Noel Shore, Nova Scotia.

13 Feb 2013 --- The Board of Directors of Farmers Co-operative Dairy Limited, well-known in Atlantic Canada, and the Board of Directors of Agropur cooperative, the largest dairy cooperative in Canada, are extremely proud to announce the merger of its two organizations.

“By joining forces we believe that the new merged entity will be well equipped to ensure a sustainable dairy industry in the Atlantic Provinces” said Jeannie van Dyk, Chairman of Farmers Dairy and a dairy farmer from Noel Shore, Nova Scotia. “This is a great opportunity for our members to continue to have a voice in the marketing of their milk through ownership in a large national cooperative organization.”

“The merger of our two cooperatives is a first for Agropur in decades. The merger will allow us to better serve our customers on a national basis, and support the overall objective of consolidating the cooperative milk processing sector for the benefit of the member dairy farmers”, added Serge Riendeau, Chairman of Agropur and a dairy farmer in Coaticook, Quebec.

The proposed merger and related arrangements will be submitted for approval by the members during separate Special General Assemblies, which will be held on March 12, 2013. The targeted date for the merging of activities is April 2, 2013. This is subject to approval from the appropriate authorities.