In a statement, the co-op’s board confirmed that it has “engaged the legal firm RDJ LLP to assist it to expeditiously progress matters in relation to the arbitration process with Kerry Creameries Ltd”, Agriland reports.

It also thanked Killarney-based law firm Terence F Casey & Co “for its support and efforts in relation to this matter to date”.

Kerry Co-op, owned by dairy farmers, has been in a dispute since 2015 with agribusiness Kerry Group over a disputed payment.

A central issue in the dispute, which has not been resolved despite a series of arbitrator rulings, is whether west Cork co-ops should be classed as competitors or not.