This article is from page 69 of the 2008-03-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 69 JPG
FIRST we had the World Ploughing Championships, now we have the World Holstein Friesian Federation SroyaKo rere
Less than two years after staging one of the worlds biggest interna- tional farming events, Ireland will play host to another following the announcement that the World Hol- stein Friesian Federation Conference which will be held in Ireland from October 9 to 11. The Minister for Ag- riculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan, last week announced funding of €100,000 towards the cost of staging the 2008 event.
It is the first time for this event to be held in Ireland. The Minis-
ter congratulated the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) in suc- ceeding in getting such a prestigious event to Ireland.
The Conference, which is_ held World Cup style every four years, will welcome delegates from over 40 member countries of the World Holstein Friesian Federation togeth- er with a large number of observers from Ireland and around the world.
The Conference will include a two- day scientific programme at Killar- ney and a one-day Livestock Show of pedigree dairy animals at Millsteet.
The Minister said that Irish Hol- Stein Friesian farmers, who consist- ently breed top quality animals, will be able to showcase to an interna- tional audience the high standards
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“My Department has _ invested heavily during the past decade in developing a top class cattle breed- ing infrastructure through the estab- lishment of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation,” she said.
The Conference not only provides an ideal opportunity to showcase the developments in cattle breeding in Ireland but also enables the promo- tion of our vibrant dairy industry to a global audience.
“The Conference will provide a timely international marketing plat- form for Irish Holstein-Friesian cat- tle and an opportunity to add value to the sector by creating export op- portunities for Irish Holstein-Frie-
sian genetics, through the sale of genetically superior live cattle, their semen, ova and embryos,’ she con- tinued.
Ui SCORN a eT ree arte hmelse Tt the mainstay of the dairy sector for many years now. Our dairy sector continues to grow in terms of value of output and last year dairy exports increased by 13 per cent to €2.36 billion, making it the most important sector of our agri-food industry.
Concluding, the Minister congratu- lated the Organising Committee on their efforts to date in planning for a successful Conference. She wished them well with the event and hoped that visitors to the South West of Ire- land will have an enjoyable and fruit- UU CE hYs