Dairy Farmers of Britain is a farmers' co-operative

The Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) has bought ACC - Associated Co-Operative Creameries - which has bases in Cardiff, Denbighshire and Carmarthenshire.

The buy-out by DFB, owned by 3,250 farmers, has been welcomed by farming union leaders.

ACC employs hundreds of workers at offices spread across Wales.

DFB chairman Rob Knight said the deal was one of the largest completed by a farmer-owned business.

This was the best possible option, and appears to safeguard the future of all ACC premises and jobs Brian Walters, FUW

In April this year, the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) expressed their concerns after it was announced ACC was up for sale.

But both the FUW and the trade union Usdaw, which has more than 1,000 members UK-wide in ACC, welcomed the buy-out from DFB.

Sharon Ainsworth, national officer for Usdaw, said: "There has been a great deal of anxiety among ACC workers for many months, after it became known that the Co-op was looking to sell this business.

"Our members have been patient throughout this process - and today's announcement brings an end to the uncertainty."

'Best option'

She said Usdaw was pleased the new owners are DFB because, she said, the union feels they offer the best prospects for job security.

DFB was established in July 2002 and is owned by farmers throughout England and Wales.

FUW vice president Brian Walters said: "This was the best possible option, and appears to safeguard the future of all ACC premises and jobs."

"I'm delighted that ACC is now part of a farmer-owned co-operative which means that producers will remain in control of its operation and share in its future success."

DFB's Malcolm Smith added: "We are now a major players in the milk processing market."

ACC was the UK's fourth largest diary business.

Its biggest workforce of 205 is based at Llangadog in Carmarthenshire, 193 are at Llandyrnog in Denbighshire and 172 are in Cardiff.

Other ACC workers are based in Aberdare, Rhondda, Neath and Bridgend.