EPA discharge 'suspension' on North Cork Creameries lifted
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that a suspension on North Cork Creameries in relation to effluent discharge has been lifted.
The EPA had ordered the suspension of effluent discharge from North Cork Creameries on November 14, last year.
It has stressed that the suspension "only related to the effluent discharge and not to the licence or the wider activity on site".
At the time the co-op said that it intended to co-operate fully with the EPA "to ensure compliance with our licenced wastewater treatment requirements".
"We are investing very substantially in our facilities and operations in this regard.
The EPA told Agriland that in order to address the issues that had resulted in the suspension of the effluent discharge last year the co-op "was required to implement extensive measures and controls at the wastewater treatment plant and carry out significant monitoring of the effluent, with all samples analysed by an accredited laboratory".
"Having considered the information provided by the licensee, the results of the EPA's own samples and the findings of EPA inspections, the suspension was lifted on January 7, 2026" the agency added.
EPA
According to the EPA it took this decision based on "a demonstration by the licensee that the effluent was consistently complying with licence limits, albeit that production rates are at winter levels, and that the strict controls imposed by the EPA were being adhered to".
However it has warned that the agency will continue to closely monitor the site’s performance and "will take swift enforcement action as appropriate should non-compliance arise".
North Cork Creameries
The green light from the EPA in relation to the effluent discharge comes as Michael Cronin is now in the role of chief executive officer.
He took over the job from Pat Sheahan who left the co-op at the end of last year.
Sheahan had served as CEO of North Cork Creameries since 2013, prior to which he worked with Kerry Group in Europe and the UK.
Cronin, is a former CEO of Newmarket Co-operative. He is currently a board member of Bord Bia and IFAC and is a former chairperson of Ornua.
He is also chairperson of the TB Stakeholder Forum and is involved in a number of other projects in the agri-food industry.
