European Dairy Farmers cordially invite you to participate in the EDF Congress 2009, from 24 to 26 June 2009, Cork, Ireland – 24.04.2009

 European Dairy Farmers cordially invite you to participate in the
EDF Congress 2009, from 24 to 26 June 2009, Cork, Ireland
 

Our main theme in 2009 will be:
“Grasping the Opportunity”.
 

Ireland has a large potential to expand in milk production when the quota system will be dismantled.
The country has the best climatic and natural conditions for low cost grass based milk production
with simple systems. About 5.2 millions tonnes of milk (4% of EU-25 milk supply) are produced
from 20,000 suppliers. Ireland currently exports about 80% of its dairy products and therefore has
capabilities to market additional milk production.
 

The EDF congress will examine the potential as well as challenges to overcome for Ireland to grasp
the new opportunity in milk production.
 

In many areas in Europe, we are now facing difficult situations with low milk prices combined with
high input costs affecting margins and investment plans. This is another reason to go and see how to
feed a cow in a low cost system and Ireland is the right place to see this.
We have to share our points of view, together with you, about new limiting factors, new strategies,
new markets.
 

The congress will take place in Cork, in the southern part of the island, and it will be organised in
close cooperation with the Irish EDF branch and the Teagasc organisation - Moorepark Dairy
Production Research Centre. We have already experienced the great hospitality and professionalism
of our 2009 partner country. We also experienced the diversity of farming systems and strategies as
well as friendliness of the people.
 

The programme includes top speakers and presentations. We are very pleased that the Irish Minister
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will address his opening speech to us. The opening session includes
an Irish Farming and Milk Processing Industry presentations as well as international overview.
Our scientific team will present, during the plenary session and workshops, results of the Cost of
Production Comparison and results of the Snapshot survey (this tool shows our members’ attitudes
and reactions in different situations as well as their strategy for the future. This year’s topic is
focusing on “how to overcome limiting factors to growth”).
 

The last results of our milk price comparison project with LTO/PZ are also included. EDF strategy and
past activities will be discussed during our general assembly.
There will be Farm Tours to visit several interesting EDF members’ farms and to discuss topics of
challenges, figures and techniques.
 

Moreover, our congress will give you the opportunity to establish contacts with open-minded and
future-oriented people from all over Europe. You will appreciate the place we give for exchange and
social contacts.
 

To conclude, I would like to address a special attention to new participants and new EDF potential
members. I really want to convince them to join us. The congress is truly the best opportunity to
taste to the “EDF product”. We have a clear strategy to welcome more farmers from all over Europe
but also from other continents as we live in a world dairy context.
 

I hope to meet you all there in June in the Land of 1000 welcomes!
Jean –François VERDENAL
EDF President

Learn more about EDF Congress 2009
 

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• III. International Conference:"Doing agribusiness in Ukraine: Perspectives for 2012" – 08.12.2011
• European Dairy Farmers cordially invite you to participate in the EDF Congress 2009, from 24 to 26 June 2009, Cork, Ireland – 24.04.2009
• Green Week Scientific Conference 2009, January, 14th and 15th, 2009, Berlin – 05.09.2008
• EastAgri Annual Meeting 2008 in Paris – 05.09.2008
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• Conference „Ukraine on the Way to Europe – Challenges and Opportunities for the Agro Food Sector” – 15.05.2008
• 17 th annual conference "Biogas-efficient and reliable" – 14.12.2007
• Presentation of World Development Report 2008 - Agriculture for Development – 23.11.2007