McDonald’s selects Kerry farm as flagship for sustainable production
It also purchased a total of €4m worth of Irish dairy produce in 2013 for consumption in its 85 restaurants on the island of Ireland, where it is now the third largest multinational employer with more than 4,500 employees.
The announcement was made as McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland launched a partnership with Kerry Group to select a new European Dairy Flagship Farm in Milltown, Co Kerry, to showcase best-in-class sustainable milk production.
Eoghan McCarthy’s dairy farm was chosen to become a Flagship Farm, following a robust selection process, because of the high-quality milk that is produced from its grazed grass and the overall approach to sustainable milk production.
Agriculture and Food Minister Simon Coveney said by showcasing best in class dairy production facilities such as the McCarthy farm, McDonald’s is helping to enhance the already strong international reputation enjoyed by the Irish dairy sector in key European markets.
Dairy production in Ireland is about to undergo a significant expansion following the abolition of quotas in 2015, with huge potential for growth and future job creation across the sector.
He congratulated Eoghan McCarthy and Kerry Group on having the McCarthy farm selected as a McDonald’s Flagship Farm.
“It is exactly the kind of space that the Irish food sector needs to be in, in order to further grow and prosper,” he said.
Adrian Crean, managing director, McDonald’s Ireland, said increased emphasis on locally sourced ingredients is a key element of McDonald’s evolving strategy and success.
“We are very committed to supporting Irish agriculture and we believe that Irish produce is the best in the world,” he said.
Eoghan McCarthy said the main focus of his farming business is to make a good living from running the family farm. “I need to do this as efficiently as possible whilst protecting and enhancing the welfare of the cows and respecting the natural environment,” he said.
Kerry Group chief executive Stan McCarthy said the group is proud that Eoghan McCarthy’s dairy farm is selected as McDonald’s first dairy Flagship Farm in Ireland.
“The McCarthy family farm enterprise, a Certified ‘Origin Green’ dairy farm, exemplifies our sustainable grass-based dairy farming heritage and world leadership in high quality, sustainable dairy production,” he said.
