Dairy shoppers urged to look for logo

CONSUMERS will be supporting dairy industry jobs every time they buy milk or cream products bearing a new National Dairy Council (NDC) packaging mark.

The mark, launched at the RDS in Dublin yesterday, gives consumers the assurance that the dairy products they are purchasing have been farmed and processed in the Republic of Ireland.

Over 4,676 Irish jobs within the economy are supported by the NDC packaging mark — 2,483 in processing and 2,193 farmers

NDC chief executive Helen Brophy said that the mark allows consumers to select products which contribute to the national economy. The mark can only be printed on those milk and cream products approved under licence by the NDC.

Ms Brophy said the development of this concept has been supported by extensive consultation with the dairy industry and by research.

“We would like to urge Irish consumers to watch out for the NDC mark on packaging in the coming months. We are asking consumers to show their support for jobs on Irish dairy farms and jobs in the Irish dairy sector in an active way, when they decide what milk or cream they are going to buy,” she said

Ms Brophy said the NDC may expand the programme next year to allow for the application for licences related to other dairy products such as cheese.