IRELAND-ORGANIC MILK.
A new company which aims to supply the organic liquid milk market was launched last week at the National Organic Farming Conference in Birr, Co Offaly.
The Irish Organic Milk Producers Ltd (IOMP) will represent organic dairy farmers and intends to develop a nationwide distribution network for organic milk.
It was one of two organisations to be launched at the Co Offaly event. The Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI) was also unveiled at the conference, and it plans to represent Ireland’s organic horticultural producers.
IOMP includes milk producers from across most of the 26 counties. They have been loosely associated for the last seven or eight years but have now decided to formalise their relationship.
The group has a milk pool of 2.5m litres and supply the vast bulk of this to Offaly-based organic food producer Glenisk.
However, with a further 2m litres earmarked for organic producers, IOMP plan to develop other possible outlets, while also addressing areas of immediate concern for members.
"Because of the increased power of larger multiples and the fact they have continued to increase their margins, organic dairy farmers are finding that, as their costs increase and milk price drops, viability of farms is being put under pressure," IOMP’s chairman, Pat Mulrooney, stated.
Although Mr Mulrooney insisted that members were broadly satisfied with their Glenisk deals, he said IOMP intended to develop an organic liquid milk distribution network.
Speciality
This initiative will involve supplying small speciality shops rather than multiples, Mr Mulrooney said.
IOMP are also assessing the viability of producing organic cheese. They are currently in the process of registering a cheese brand, which is to be launched within the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, OGI will represent organic horticultural producers and encourage those growers keen to convert to organic production.
OGI chairman Jason Horner said the immediate aim was to support organic growers and promote organic produce.
OGI aims to develop a community of growers, which will facilitate the transfer of practical market information and enable members to share technical information.
The organisation can be contacted at irishorganic growers@gmail.com