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.
These range from brand leaders to private label or own label products, amounting 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.
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.
*Dairy Sentiment Tracker Research, Behaviour & Attitudes, September 2021