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The NDC Guarantee gives consumers the opportunity to show their support for local jobs on dairy farms and in the dairy sector in an active way, when deciding what milk or cream to buy.
In September 2009, the National Dairy Council introduced a packaging mark giving consumers in the Republic of Ireland the reassurance of knowing that if they buy milk or cream with the NDC Guarantee, it is both farmed and processed locally.
Research* shows that consumers here have become very engaged in the climate debate since the pandemic, with 72% saying they are buying more Irish food and drink brands. This ranges from 72% for under 25yrs olds up to 77% for the 50-64yr olds.
The economic multiplier effect associated with the local Agri-food sector means that consumers who choose milk and cream with the NDC mark are in fact supporting rural economies 365 days of the year. This same research also indicates that 79% of Irish consumer believe Irish grass-fed dairy to be superior to most other countries.
The NDC Guarantee appears on some 340 milk and cream products in the Republic of Ireland, ranging from brand leaders to ‘private label’ or ‘own label’ products.
This amounts to hundreds of pack types and sizes across products including cream, whole milk, skimmed milk, semi-skimmed milk, buttermilk, lactose free milk, flavoured milk or fortified milk.
However, the NDC Guarantee can only be printed on cartons that are licensed to carry the NDC mark, because they source and process their milk in the Republic of Ireland and they meet all of the necessary NDC licensing criteria and audits. This ensures full transparency for Irish consumers.
“Irish dairy has an internationally renowned reputation for its quality dairy products. Traceability and Food Safety are of paramount importance and coupled with the knowledge that Irish dairy is locally sourced consumers can be confident that they are supporting their local producers. This has a positive broader impact on the local economy at a time of heightened awareness on the pressures Irish dairy farmers are facing to produce product as sustainably as possible,”
– Mark Keller, Interim Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council
“There is a very strong appreciation by consumers for Ireland’s heritage in pasture-based dairy farming where cows can produce milk in a very natural environment. And increasingly consumers are more interested in Irish dairy farmers’ journey towards a sustainable food production system and the essential benefits of dairy produced here as part of a healthy balanced diet,” — says Mr. Keller.
Those dairies or co-ops which already have products licenced to carry the NDC mark are:
*Dairy Sentiment Tracker Research, Behaviour & Attitudes, September 2021.