New Research Initiative into Irish Organic Milk

A new research initiative into Irish organic milk was launched in Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) recently.

The initiative, a partnership between LIT's Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre (ABC) and the Irish Organic Milk Producers Ltd will be conducted by Dr. Daniel Walsh and Dr. Tracey Larkin from Shannon ABC.

(pic: LtoR Pat Mulrooney, Tracey Larkin and John Liston)

The researchers will examine samples of milk from the Irish Organic Milk Producers, from conventional milk farmers and also imported organic milk.

The research will be conducted for a period of 12 weeks and will test antioxidants, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity in the milk.

John Liston, research officer for the Irish Organic Milk Producers, expressed delight at the opportunity to work with Shannon ABC to highlight the benefits of local organic milk.

The Irish Organic Milk Producers Ltd consists of 14 certified organic dairy farmers. Pat Mulrooney Chairperson of the group stated that �as farmers using organic methods we have a thorough knowledge of the high quality of our product before it leaves the farm gate. However once our product leaves the farm gate we have no control over it�.

He elaborates: �It is therefore important that as the primary producers we maintain control over our product by adding value to it. This research partnership will prove the benefits of organic milk and allow us to advertise and market our unique product to consumers�.

The Company have plans to launch products, and will be able to use the findings of the research to promote their milk � provided of course the findings differentiate organic Irish milk from other milk in a positive way.

At the launch, former Minister of State for Food Trevor Sargent TD, stressed how important the organic dairy sector had been in other European countries, such as Austria, in leading the way for the development of the organic sector: high demand for dairy products convinced significant numbers dairy farmers to convert to organic production.

�We in government are committed to the development of the organic sector and my colleague Ciaran Cuffe is looking forward to working in this area. In 2009 we invested �8.7million in the organic sector and we will continue to invest to ensure that the sector expands to reach its full potential�.

Markets for organic dairy remain reasonably strong, both in Ireland and the UK

The most recent TNS figures (September 09) report that year on year, the value of organic dairy grew by 24.8%: even the previous 12 weeks, a slower period across the organic sector, organic dairy grew by 11.4%.

The organic yogurt market also grew in Ireland in 2009: by 32.8% year on year, and by 26.6% in the 12 weeks up to September 2009.

As reported in recent weeks, there have been interesting developments in the organic dairy sector, both in Ireland and the UK.

The UK organic diary market grew by 1% in 2009. Whilst this is small, it is against a backdrop of an overall 12.9% organic market decline. The arrival of Donegal Cremeries into the Irish market has had a significant impact here: their yogurt range is stocked in ALDI. Prices have begun to drop, with intense price competition in the organic yogurt market in Ireland. Indeed, prices have even dropped in the last month, and special offers have become almost routinised.

Glenisk have moved into the Northern Irish market, while leading UK Yogurt brands such as Yeo Valley and Rachael's already have a presence in Ireland.

Although the number of organic dairy farmers in Ireland is small, there are causes for optimism.

The emergence of the Irish Organic Milk Producers is, from a farmer's perspective, a positive. Farmers will receive more of the economic benefits from further along the food chain, benefits usually harnessed by food businesses.

It is also likely that there will be an increase in the numbers of organic dairy farmers in the coming years, due to upcoming conversions.