The conference, which heard that Ireland’s 17,500 dairy farmers produce high quality dairy produce which is exported to 191 countries with an €6.2 billion contribution to the economy, featured Billy Kelleher MEP; Karina Pierce, professor of dairy production, UCD; Michael Farrelly, executive director at the FTMTA; TJ Flanagan, CEO, ICOS; Denis Drennan, deputy president, ICMSA; Zoë Kavanagh, CEO at the National Dairy Council and spokesperson for the European Milk Forum; as well as dairy farmers Joe Deane, Victor O’Sullivan and Mike Magan.
Opening the conference, Billy Kelleher stressed the challenges facing the industry – and Ireland’s farming communities – today: “The Irish dairy industry is facing many headwinds over the short to medium term. With pressure coming due to the nitrates derogation, the Industrial Emissions Directive and possible changes to the animal transport regulation, the industry must be proactive in how it addresses them, and not shy away from reasonable change.
“Dairy farmers are exceptionally innovative, creative and hard-working, they can, if they put their minds to it, meet these challenges head on, and continue to prosper and drive on our rural communities.”
Dairy farmer, Joe Deane commented on the importance of Government support for the industry’s efforts in tackling climate action: “There is great opportunity for dairy farmers in Ireland to run highly profitable and sustainable businesses going forward, once we are not strangled with regulation before new science and technology has the chance to be implemented to combat the challenges facing the industry, such as nitrates and climate change. It is very important that the farming organisations and the Government fight hard in Europe for the retention of our derogation at 250kg N/ha. If given more time, farmers can continue to help to improve water quality.”
Victor O’Sullivan, dairy farmer, stressed the need for joined-up thinking between scientists, farmers and policy makers: “A significant challenge for the future will be maintaining political support regarding the issues of water quality and emissions. The science involved does yield favourable results for Irish dairy farmers; what will have an impact is the political will to back the science.”
The event was sponsored by AXA Insurance, the National Dairy Council (NDC), and Enjoy, It's From Europe.