Walsh urges dairy R&D spending hike
Speaking at a Teagasc food products open day at Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Mr Walsh said the Irish dairy sector spend on R&D amounts to 0.2% of turnover compared to a figure of 0.4% in Netherlands and 0.6% in New Zealand.
He said reduced reliance on commodity type dairy products and greater concentration on R&D and higher value-added products is required. Mr Walsh said it is clear Ireland needs to look at its product mix to ensure it is correctly placed to exploit the market opportunities in an expanded EU and beyond.
“It is clear a fundamental part of the next stage of development for the Irish dairy sector is the need to increase expenditure on R&D,” he said.
Enterprise Ireland executive director Mike Feeney said the potential for growth in the food industry is enormous, with estimates that it can achieve 18 billion in output by 2011.
But an increase in competitiveness, a move to value-added, more innovation and market diversification, and increased investment in R&D are needed if this is to be achieved, he said.
More than 20 food and drink products developed by Irish and multinational companies with assistance from Teagasc food scientists at Moorepark were on display at the open day.
The products include value-added cheeses, baby foods, beverages, cream liqueurs and Irish coffee, as well as ingredients for a variety of snack foods and prepared ready meals. Mr Walsh praised the staff for their work, supported by national and EU research funding.
He said the Dairy Products Research Centre, and its pilot plant subsidiary, Moorepark Technology, now celebrating its 10th birthday, have international reputations as centres of excellence in research and innovation.
