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Posted 04 November 2014

UCD & Keenan join with Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to form China-Ireland Dairy Science and Technology Centre

An agreement between University College Dublin, Richard Keenan & Co Ltd and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to join forces to form the China-Ireland Dairy Science and Technology Centre was announced during a recent trade mission to China headed-up by Simon Coveney TD, The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The Centre is an important strategic development between China and Ireland with the goal of improving feeding efficiency, animal health and reducing the environmental impact of Dairy Farming.

 Pictured above - Seated in front: Gerard Keenan, Executive Chairman Keenan, Professor Li Ming, Director of the Institute of Animal Sciences and Professor Alex Evans, Dean, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science. Standing: Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Paul Kavanagh, Minister for Agriculture; Food, the Marine & Defence, Simon Coveney; Minister of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China, Han Changfu; Director General of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Wang Zhongli and Director General International Cooperation of Ministry of Agriculture, Wang Ying.
Pictured above - Seated in front: Gerard Keenan, Executive Chairman Keenan, Professor Li Ming, Director of the Institute of Animal Sciences and Professor Alex Evans, Dean, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science. Standing: Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Paul Kavanagh, Minister for Agriculture; Food, the Marine & Defence, Simon Coveney; Minister of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China, Han Changfu; Director General of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Wang Zhongli and Director General International Cooperation of Ministry of Agriculture, Wang Ying.

“The announcement of the new China-Ireland Dairy Science and Technology Centre is exciting and very timely,” said Minister Coveney who, alongside Minister Hanfu, witnessed the signing of the agreement at a ceremony in the Ministry of Agriculture Beijing.

“[It] will encourage programmes of exchange and collaboration in areas of great importance to both countries as we face the challenges and opportunities presented by rapidly growing Dairy Farming sectors. Ireland’s involvement in this venture through Keenans and UCD is testament to the calibre and professional esteem both organisations are rightfully held in.  I wish the new Centre every success for the future and look forward to learning of its outcomes and achievements over the coming years,” he said.

China currently produces 38 billion litres of milk per annum and aims to increase production to 60 billion litres by 2020. Ireland is also expanding its Dairy Sector, with the quotas being removed in 2015. As both countries face challenges and opportunities in dairy expansion, it is an ideal time to strengthen the relationship and understanding between China and Ireland’s Dairy Sectors.

The Centre is a significant platform to further the dialogue and to help in achieving these goals. The Centre will play an important role delivering and extending technology and know-how to farms in China that will improve their efficiency and profitability. Keenan technology is a priority technology for China in this regard.

Gerard Keenan, Executive Chairman of Keenan said: “The Centre is a significant strategic development and it underlines the potential synergy between Irish technology and know-how as part of a solution to China’s food security and production challenges. We look forward to bringing sustainable improvement together to China’s Dairy Sector.”

The Centre will also undertake research in Animal Husbandry, such as in the area of rumen function, feed quality and animal health.

Professor Alex Evans, Dean, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin said: “Ireland is very proud of its long tradition of cattle production and UCD is excited by the opportunities that this Dairy Technology Centre will bring to advance the efficiency and quality of dairy production for both Ireland and China.”

The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences is a key driver of agricultural production and related R&D in China. CAAS recognises the importance of international collaboration in achieving its production targets.

Professor Li Ming, Director of the Institute of Animal Sciences noted during his recent visit to Ireland: “Animal Husbandry and Dairy farming are crucially important to Ireland’s economy and society. I am hugely impressed by what I have seen during my visit to University College Dublin and Keenan. I believe that we share a common strategic goal and that Ireland and its expertise can play a crucial role in the efficient development of China’s Dairy Sector.”

Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, who is accompanying Minister Coveney on the trade mission to China said: “This important strategic development between China and Ireland clearly demonstrates the enormous opportunities that exist for meaningful exchange and collaboration between our two countries, and between State organisations and private companies.  I warmly congratulate all parties on the great progress they have made, and look forward to exciting advances from this collaboration in the coming years.”

Keenans have been funded and supported by Enterprise Ireland.

 

(Produced by UCD University Relations)

 

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UCD & Keenan join with Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to form China-Ireland Dairy Science and Technology Centre
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