The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) has called for people to “raise a glass of milk to Irish farmers”.
Speaking ahead of World Milk Day tomorrow (Thursday, June 1), president of the association, Pat McCormack said that Irish dairy farmers are “the most naturally sustainable producers of our most naturally nutritious drink”.
He said that the role of milk in Ireland’s social, cultural, and economic history was central and continuous to an extent that had it is “Ireland’s real national drink”.
McCormack urged people and policymakers to recognise the historical importance of milk production while also realising the ongoing vital role it plays in the cohesion and commerce of our rural communities.
He said that milk is rural Ireland’s “lifeblood” and that we had developed an industry and global reputation for excellence around that fact.
“Ireland’s dairy sector itself will continue to develop and modify; but certain core truths must never be forgotten and foremost amongst those was the fact that Ireland was, is now, and always will be the most sustainable producer of the most naturally nutritious drink in the world,” the ICMSA president said.
World Milk Day was established in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
It aims to recognise the importance of milk as a global food, and to celebrate the dairy sector.
Each year since, the benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted around the world, including how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people.
In 2023, World Milk Day will focus on showcasing how dairy is reducing its environmental footprint, while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods.