The Copa-Cogeca Milk and Dairy Working Party met in Brussels on 9^th July.  ICOS, together with the Danish Dairy Board and Friesland Campina delivered an overview of the export strategy pursued by Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Mr. Wim Kloosterboer, Corporate Manager of Trade and Dairy Affairs from Friesland Campina outlined their quality assurance programme and spoke about the growing “trend” towards outdoor grazing defined by FC as 120 days at grass for at least 6 hours per day.

The ICOS presentation provided an overview of Ireland’s target markets, the increasing importance of 3^rd country markets outside the UK and EU and the significance of Origin Green and the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme in meeting customer expectations.

Representatives from Spain, Germany, Poland and Austria delivered presentations on the European internal market. Of worth noting, Austria emphasised that their entire milk chain is 100% GM free, while the German speaker from DRV spoke about the growing pressure from retailers to go GM free throughout its dairy supply chain, with most of their liquid milk considered GM free.

The working party also discussed the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, Brexit, Animal Welfare and environmental sustainability issues.

By Eamonn Farrell

Agri Food Policy Executive