News

National Dairy Council Forms Alliance with Great Britain’s Dairy Council

Thursday 7 May, 2009 The National Dairy Council (NDC) has entered into a strategic alliance with Great Britain’s Dairy Council to strengthen access to broader dairy related scientific resources, in a cost effective manner. The alliance will complement the existing nutritional capabilities of the NDC and will also support specific NDC programmes in Ireland, ultimately strengthening the voice of the Irish dairy industry.

“The NDC is a trusted and respected information source for Irish consumers, health professionals and the media when it comes to milk and dairy products,” explains Helen Brophy, Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council. “This new alliance will strengthen this position by helping us to achieve our strategic objective of becoming a centre of knowledge and expertise on all aspects of dairy-related nutrition and research.”

The alliance is part of the NDC’s 5 year strategic plan which has specific objectives in relation to accessing new global research data which is coming on stream, building new resources such as a science based e-library for health professionals and expanding the range of evidence based advice to ensure that the nutrition programme continues to be at the forefront of best practice, with systematic and informed resources. Accessing this expertise also supports the work of the NDC’s National Issues Management Committee, developed in 2008 as part of its 5 year strategy to ensure that the NDC is to the forefront on dairy related nutrition or potential legislative changes, so that the NDC can respond quickly and effectively should a new development emerge.

Access to Broader Global Scientific Resources

The Dairy Council in Great Britain is a nutrition information council with well developed expertise. It is headed up by Dr Judith Bryans, also Chair of the Nutrition Working Group of the European Dairy Association (EDA) and on the Standing Committee on Nutrition and Health for the International Dairy Federation (IDF). Dr Bryans and her team monitor global scientific literature and maintain records of international research papers on topics of interest to the dairy industry. They also track European legislation pertinent to nutrition and health which might have any impact on dairy related nutrition industries.

Access to up to date research globally helps to identify new and positive scientific data which can support the consumption of dairy in the diet. By way of example, Dr Bryans and The Dairy Council team project managed four sports nutrition studies and are tracking dairy related sports nutrition stories, particularly in the run up to the Olympics in 2012. There is also a drive to develop the concept of nutrient density which would see the promotion of dairy as a package of nutrients, which strengthens the position of dairy products on the supermarket shelf compared with other foods or snacks.

Strengthening the Existing NDC Nutrition Programme

The existing NDC nutritional resource, headed up by Dr. Catherine Logan, ensures all NDC communications is based on objective and scientifically supported evidence, whilst engaging in projects which will help to educate consumers about dairy as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.

This ranges from writing and producing nutritional advice literature, implementing the NDC Dairy Den Programme for parents and young families, engaging in scientifically informed media relations and organising workshops and Health & Wellbeing events for consumers. The Nutrition Programme also has an important role in providing the research and information required to correct myths and misconceptions which may arise about milk or dairy products, based on balanced and evidence-based facts.

“With limited resources, it can be difficult for dairy council’s from each country to track all of the scientific developments globally on an individual basis,” says Helen Brophy. “We in the National Dairy Council are committed to ensuring contributors are getting value for money. Looking at the bigger picture, our alliance with The Dairy Council and working with Dr Bryans and her team, provides us with a cost effective way to increase our capacity by putting in place a structured system to share emerging relevant research and global information information - and to proactively engage with issues which may evolve.”

For further information contact:

Antonina Ni Dhuinn, Progress Communications - 01-276 6117 - email: nina@progresspr.ie