An Avonmore Waterford milk processing plant in Co Cavan is the first Irish food company to be given accreditation under a new EU quality management system, which sets unprecedented environmental demands on industry.
The plant at Virginia supplies cream for the production of Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur, the world's biggest-selling liqueur brand, and over the past five years has undergone 'dramatic growth' in sales of milk powder products, which it exports to 30 countries.
Registration for the eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) is 'awarded' by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) on behalf of the EU. Presenting the award yesterday, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr Ned O'Keeffe, said he looked forward to 'the day when this level of environmental commitment will be regarded as commonplace' in Irish industry.
Eco-efficiency was an important new concept and one in which both industrialists and environmentalists had a stake, he added. Consumers related better to companies which respected the environment.
Avonmore Waterford (Virginia) deserved great credit for its long-standing commitment to environmental excellence, according to Dr Frank Smyth of NAB. 'Many of our economic activities, including food production and tourism, rely on a common shared environment. Economic progress in one of these sectors should not be achieved to the detriment of the other.'
The Virginia facility has an annual turnover of more than £100 million. Its environmental achievements had been built up over many years, said the plant manager, Mr John Harnedy, who accepted the award on behalf of Avonmore Waterford.
