Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish, the not-for-profit business membership organisation, has been appointed to the industry advisory committee of VistaMilk SFI Research Centre.
The €40 million centre, launched last October, looks to use the latest digital technologies to drive innovation and enhance production and sustainability across Ireland’s dairy supply chain.
Irish milk production is set to expand over the next decade, with the national herd growing at 3% per annum and the development of new, value-added products, including those being researched at the VistaMilk centre.
The centre is funded for an initial six-year term and led by Teagasc, the national agency with responsibility for agriculture and food research.
“At Guaranteed Irish, our focus is on championing businesses in Ireland, and I’m looking forward to bringing that passion and expertise to VistaMilk to help further its commercial potential,” Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish, said.
“It’s clear that ICT and digital technologies will play a key role in the future success of our agri-food and dairy industries, and I’m very excited to be joining such an ambitious and forward-looking initiative.”
VistaMilk
VistaMilk is a unique collaboration between Irish agri-food and ICT research institutes, as well as Irish and multinational companies, and is jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
VistaMilk aims to be a catalyst for growth within the Irish dairy industry, furthering research in pasture-based dairying positively impacting the environment, animal wellbeing and the health of consumers.
She will also identify priority areas for further research and collaboration and forge partnerships with leading industry stakeholders.
In her role as a member of VistaMilk’s industry advisory committee, Ms O’Connell will provide industry opinion and guidance to the centre director and VistaMilk executive committee on the strategy, operations, and industry engagement of the centre.
“Brid brings a terrific understanding of the needs and wants of business and this will help us join the dots between the agri-food and ICT industries, and ensure that the VistaMilk centre realises its ambition to become a world leader in agri-food innovation,” Professor Donagh Berry, Director of VistaMilk, said.
“Together, we’re confident that VistaMilk will become an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry and enhance its output and reputation at home and abroad.”
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
