Glanbia praises top milk producers

QUALITY is the gateway to winning and keeping consumer confidence, Glanbia group managing director John Moloney said yesterday, when he presented a County Laois family with the group’s overall quality milk supplier award at a function in Co Kilkenny.

He praised Michael and Kitty Gowing, along with their son Michael Jnr, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, Co Laois and all Glanbia milk producers in ensuring a constant supply of high quality milk for consumers.

The Gowings, whose dairy farm is involved in liquid and winter milk production along with a beef enterprise, supply milk to Glanbia’s ingredients plant at Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny.

Mr Moloney said that as a food group serving world markets, Glanbia takes seriously its responsibility for setting standards for food quality and safety.

He said Glanbia translates as “pure food“, and this quality principle drives the philosophy in all its operations.

“The quality award winners are leaders in what is a time of considerable challenge and change for Irish dairy farmers and Glanbia is proud to be associated with these families,” he said.

Mr Moloney said the Glanbia quality milk accreditation scheme is complemented at processing level by retail and environmental quality standards.

For example, Glanbia is the only Irish dairy company to have BRC accreditation (British Retail Consortium) - a tough quality accreditation process for food and beverage companies.

Glanbia chairman, Michael Walsh said the group is proud of the standards being achieved by its milk producers.

“Quality raw material is crucial to each and everyone involved in the food chain from farm to plate,” he said.

Regional winners were: Barrowvale/Southeast: Cathal Moran, Skeoghvosteen, Co. Kilkenny; South Kilkenny/ South Tipperary: Jim McGrath, Cloneen, Fethard, Co Tipperary; Donaghmore/North Kilkenny: Michael, Kitty and Michael (Jnr) Gowing, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, Co Laois; Waterford/Castlelyons: John and Anne Hurley, Ballyneety, Dungarvan, Co Waterford; North East: Kenneth Foster, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan; Ballytore: Sean and Mary Hurley, Arklow, Co Wicklow; Drogheda: Gerry, Mary and Donal McElroy, Carrickallen, Kilkerly, Dundalk, Co Louth; Snowcream: John and Terry Arnold, Monamahogue, Tramore, Co Waterford.