IFA: Diageo diluting Guinness brand

IRISH farmers claim the ‘Irishness’ of Guinness is being diluted by the importation of British malt to make the iconic stout.

The Irish Farmers’ Association claimed the actions of Guinness owner Diageo were undermining the future viability of malt and malting barley production in Ireland. However, Diageo said it had received a delivery of malt from Britain to meet quality standards for its products.

“Diageo is committed to the sourcing of quality Irish malt barley when available and currently about 90% of our malt barley requirements are sourced in Ireland. In addition, Diageo has a strict policy of adhering to all intake cereal procedures and we have not deviated from that,” it said.