Global Dairy Leaders in First Visit to Northern Ireland

Almost 60 of the top leaders in the global dairy industry are holding their annual conference in Belfast for the first time.

Attending the three-day Global Dairy Platform- International Milk Promotions Conference, hosted by the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, 23-25 June, are senior executives and researchers from four of the world's biggest dairy companies including Fonterra, New Zealand, the world's biggest dairy business, as well as Arla Foods, Denmark and Friesland Campina of the Netherlands. The organisation's headquarters are in Rosemont, near Chicago.

They will discuss current trends and challenges facing the global dairy industry. Dairying is among the most successful sectors in the vibrant Northern Ireland Agri-Food Industry. The event is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland.

Dr Mike Johnston, Chief Executive, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, and a member of the influential Global Dairy Platform, commenting on the conference, said: "Hosting this annual event in Northern Ireland for the first time ever is a major boost for the local industry and give us an opportunity to demonstrate the immense contribution of dairying to the local economy.

"Although Northern Ireland is a small player in volume terms in the international dairy industry, we punch above our weight, and having this conference in Northern Ireland is recognition of our importance.

"The event will also help to strengthen existing links between local dairy companies and global businesses.

"The Global Dairy Platform has a hugely important role in the development of the industry and the products currently produced and planned. The conference leads the development of a collaborative, unified approach on common industry issues and fosters innovative research.

"It's essential that Northern Ireland keeps abreast of such developments and is also seen to be contributing the industry's growth particularly in terms of its engagement with emerging markets in China and Africa."

Dairying is a major export earner for Northern Ireland, worth upwards of £3 million per day to the local economy, and has a longstanding track record in the development of innovative products. Several local companies are already successful in the global marketplace and have won business in major markets including China and Russia.

Dairy processing, pinpointed for accelerated growth in the recent Going for Growth-Investing in success action plan from the Agri-Food Strategy Board, is currently the second largest contributor to gross turnover in food and drinks processing with sales of £876 million. More than 80% of output is sold outside Northern Ireland, mainly milk powders, cheese and butter.