Irish Food Research Presented to Chinese Food Companies
Teagasc, the Irish agriculture and food development authority, recently outlined its dairy and nutrition research to Chinese food companies at seminars organised by Enterprise Ireland in Shanghai and Beijing in China. The seminars were planned to promote Ireland’s dairy product offerings on the Chinese market and to champion Ireland as a location for Chinese investment in the dairy industry.
Representatives from Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, Kerry, Ornua, Aurivo, Carbery, and Dairygold also attended the two seminars. Apart from Teagasc, presentations were also made by representatives from Moorepark Technology Ltd, the APC Microbiome Institute, Food for Health Ireland, Bord Bia, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Embassy in Bejing.
The seminars provided an opportunity to outline to Chinese Dairy and IMF companies details of the exciting areas of dairy and nutrition research happening in Ireland, and how Chinese companies can collaborate with Ireland’s Dairy and Nutrition Centres of Excellence.
Speaking in China, Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle outlined some of Teagasc’s innovation in dairy technologies in its food research programme on clover rations in dairy cows on the sensory characteristics and functionality of milk and Teagasc. He spoke about the superior quality of dairy products produced from Ireland’s pasture-based system and recent developments in dairy processing technologies. The integrated research, advisory and education functions of Teagasc were highlighted, along with the benefits of having the animal and grassland, research and innovation programme integrated with its food research programme. Teagasc has a number of Chinese food researchers and PhDs working in Moorepark and is collaborating with similar research institutions in China. Teagasc has recently established a joint research lab with the University of Fujian to extend its research collaborations in support of Ireland’s dairy industry.
John Hunter, Chief Executive of Moorepark Technology Ltd, showed the capacity of the pilot plant facilities available at MTL. Professor Catherine Stanton from the APC Microbiome Institute and Teagasc spoke about how intestinal microbiota influence health and disease and outlined some of the latest findings from the Institute’s research programme.
At the seminars Ireland was promoted as a location for dairy nutrition and infant formula manufacturing, investment by Chinese companies.
