Feargal Quinn: Ireland should be the Silicone Valley of milk production

HEALTH benefits from drinking milk for people aged 65+ represent a huge sales and marketing opportunity all across the European Union for Irish dairy producers, says Senator Feargal Quinn.

The Superquinn founder told those attending the National Dairy Council annual conference that the dairy industry, with its calcium and protein content, is ideally placed to provide the nutritional boost which Ireland and the EU’s increasingly ageing community requires.

Mr Quinn said: “My grandmother-in-law, who turned 100 last November, loves a glass of milk; even better if there’s a drop of whiskey in it. In France and Belgium, people don’t drink milk because they only have UHT milk available to them in shops.

“There is a huge opportunity there for the Irish dairy industry. There’s no reason why Ireland couldn’t become the Silicone Valley of milk production and marketing.

“There is an opportunity there for the likes of Bord Bia, Kerry Group, Glanbia and others to come together and create a market in Europe for fresh refrigerated milk.”

Mr Quinn’s views on the health benefits of milk were echoed by expert speakers at the NDC conference.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland chief specialist in public health nutrition, Dr Mary Flynn, said the new EU Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims (1924/2006) creates many opportunities for the dairy industry to tell consumers about the nutritional quality of dairy foods within a legal framework.

“Research has shown that dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt, cheese and fat spreads are among the commonest food categories that bear approved claims,” said Dr Flynn, noting that claims are now being permitted which relate to risk reduction, children’s growth and development.

Mr Quinn added future sales and marketing opportunities will develop even the domestic Irish market, largely due to the population’s longevity and the proven health benefits for those aged 65 and over.

The number of people in Ireland aged 65 and over is projected to rise from about 700,000 to 1.89 million by 2041, a staggering increase of 169%. The number aged 75 and over will reach almost one million by 2041, three times the number living now.

Mr Quinn said the dairy sector is entering a critical time due to the increased competition from new markets and the planned removal of quotas in 2015.

“Ireland must prepare now in order to be in a strong position and to get more of the global market,” he said.

Mr Quinn said that there are encouraging signs ahead.

Analysts say the medium term outlook for milk price is positive, with most predicting a recovery arising from increased world demand.