SDAS (Sustainable Dairy)

The Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) is the national dairy scheme with close to 100 percent participation from Irish dairy farmers. The SDAS was developed by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) representing Bord Bia – the Irish Food Board; Teagasc; the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI); the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM); industry (producers and processors) and other technical experts. The SDAS monitors quality assurance requirements and collects farm performance data to demonstrate the sustainability of Irish dairying at individual farm level. It monitors Ireland’s progress in a systematic way on its journey of continuous improvement. A farm visit is conducted by an independent auditor on every member’s farm at 18 month intervals and a comprehensive report is produced on the performance of the farm under the criteria of the two main components of the SDAS: Sustainability and Quality Assurance.
Dairy cows grazing grassland on the farm of Joe Hayden, Killaveney, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow.

Veterinary Controls

As an EU member state, Ireland has a very efficient veterinary control system. Controls are implemented to verify that the highest legal standards of quality and safety for human consumption are maintained from production at farm level, through to manufacturing and storage to ensure a high quality and safe final product. Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine carry out monitoring and enforcement measures, including inspections, audits and product sampling, to verify compliance with legislation. While also providing the certification of dairy products for export to Third Country markets across the globe.

Food Safety

As an EU member state, Ireland adheres to the strictest of EU food safety standards. The use of antibiotics and other medicines is strictly controlled, guaranteeing they are only used when absolutely necessary.

Martin Crowe's dairy farm at Doon, Co, Limerick.
Martin Crowe's dairy farm at Doon, Co, Limerick.

Traceability

A key safety obligation under EU food law includes product traceability and the ability to withdraw a product if determined to be unsafe. Product traceability implies the capability to trace the food product from the supplying farm through to the final product.