Students encouraged to focus on meat-marketing scheme

A MEAT-MARKETING project for students at the Faculty of Food Science and Technology in UCC was launched yesterday by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association.

The aim of the project is to help focus students'attention on meat market 'realities' and to highlight market opportunities. It will be open to third-year food business students at UCC.

A €1,000 prize will be awarded to the student who produces the best meat- marketing report.

ICSA beef committee chairman Robin Smith speaking at the launch in UCC, said the ICSA, whose 10,000 members produce some of the best quality meat in the country, is delighted to be offering the prize.

"Research and marketing are the most important tools needed to further develop the Irish meat industry," he said. ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch said it was important to encourage high-calibre students to take an interest in the marketing of Irish farm produce.

"The agri-food sector is a critical part of the Irish economy. In the past, Ireland has not maximised its competitive advantages such as its clean, green image.

"This shortcoming must not be replicated in the future and for that reason ICSA wants to see the marketing of Irish food become a key focus in the third-level institutes," he said.

Dr Seamus O'Reilly, lecturer at the Department of Food Business and Development in UCC said tomorrow's successful food business executives must know their business as well as the science and technology of food to respond to the many market opportunities presented by consumers.

The faculty was looking forward to working with the ICSA in promoting the production and marketing of Irish meat, he said.