To date almost 14,500 applications to join the Bord Bia’s Dairy Assurance Scheme have been received, 80% of which have been audited, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney.
He says in total over 60% of all dairy farmers are now certified, meaning they have their audit completed and all the corrective actions have been undertaken.
There are also farms being audited in Northern Ireland, he said and the first certified farm there was approved last month.
According to the Minister it is a matter for processors as to how to deal with milk from suppliers who may choose not to join the scheme.
To date 80% of suppliers have applied to join the scheme and the Minister said he understands from Bord Bia that the capacity is there to audit each dairy farm in the country by the end of the year, if required.
The Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme, launched in December 2013, was developed in cooperation with milk producers, processors and the regulatory authorities, including the Department of Agriculture.
The Scheme was designed to provide the necessary proof to customers of Irish dairy products that milk has been produced under both sustainability and quality assurance criteria.
According to Minister Coveney the Scheme gives the dairy sector the capability to both benchmark Irish milk production internationally and to demonstrate the commitment of Irish dairy farms to sustainable farming practices.
He also says that the Scheme also allows the sector access to markets and buyers that demand on-farm certification and provide assurance for those customers regarding sustainable production of quality milk.
The scheme is open to all milk producers with a valid herd registration who supply to milk processors in the Republic of Ireland.