1. The Environmental Challenge for Irish Dairy- A Common Proposal
Creating Sustainability in the Dairy sector: National
Dairy Sustainability
Initiative EPA National Water Event : 21 June 2017 Dr. Miriam Ryan

2. IDIA – Who we are
IDIA represents both Primary and Secondary Dairy Manufacturers including the Specialised Nutrition sector in Ireland

3. IDIA Primary Processors
99% IE Output – B2B Market

4. Value-added diary products – Consumers
IDIA Secondary Processors
Value-added diary products – Consumers

5. IDIA: Reflecting the expansion of Dairy

6. Generation of missed potential
Why Expand?
Litres (BN)
2015 Removal Quotas
2017
2025
Increased
Generation of missed potential
7.5 bn Target

7. The good stories…

8. The not so good… Onus to act 4,000 river + lake WBs
1,360 (34%) At Risk
Onus to act

9. Progress: Technology
Pollution Impact Potential Map (CSAs for
Phosphate to Surface Water)
A map of relative risk
Based on:
Loading of phosphate from farm animals and tillage
Soils, subsoils and bedrock information.
Interpretation of pathways for water and P movement
Attenuation capacity of P
Enables targeting of investigations and ‘measures’
Push to prove Ireland’s Sustainability credentials

10. Dairy Related Regulatory Developments

11. IE Commitments: Strategic Context
National economic, regional/rural development – FDI
Food Wise, Origin Green, Agri-expansion – national policy.
Regulatory Responsibility- national & EU
International Market Demand for “Sustainable“ Agri Product.
Catchment Mgt Approaches, DHPCLG Water Policies & Mgt Structures
EPA State of the Environment Report -EPA Catchments.ie
Tams/Glas Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme.
Teagasc Nutrient Management Planning System- Teagasc Soil Fertility
Market Volatility - improve economic sustainability for farmers.
An Integrating Framework – the Dairy Sustainability Initiative - DSI

12. National Dairy Sustainability Forum How & Who?
Established Q4 2016: -
A National Dairy Sustainability Forum – high level and strategic - to oversee and develop the Dairy Sustainability Initiative.
A Sectoral Technical Working Group which is the main support to the Forum.
A Farm pilots development and implementation group – Co-ops and Teagasc.

13. What: DSF Objectives 1
Recognition that environmental sustainability and economic sustainability are complementary 2
First Company Driven Approach Involving Whole of Government and Whole of Sector 3
Address: Water, Soil & Air quality, Climate change targets on a multi annual basis to achieve Food Wise Sustainability objectives

14. Structure of the DSI- Operational
Dairy Sustainability Forum (3 Chairpersons)
Dairy Sustainability Sectoral Working Group
IDIA
All Farm Orgs
DAFM
DHCPLG
EPA
Teagasc
Bord Bia, NDC,
LAWCO
IDIA & 6 pilots
Farm Orgs
Teagasc
Bord Bia
DAFM
180 farms: all geographical locations

15. Farmer Incomes Environmental Outcomes Proven Outcomes: Win – Win - Win
Company Sustainability
Proven Outcomes:
Win – Win - Win
International Buyers
Grass growth
Water Quality
Soil Quality

16. Dairy Sustainability: 2017 Targets
Promotion - Soil Nutrient Management Planning/Soil Fertility Improvement – Content agreed
Promotion – Best Practice Farm Yard Waste Water- Content agreed
30 Pilot Farms x 6 IDIA Companies –learnings from Teagasc programmes -underway
Major Funding for a 5 year programme being sought- 2018
Climate change & dairy strategy being prepared

17. Progress: On target

18. Funding Streams & Government Strategy

19. National Dairy Sustainability Initiative