A new chairperson has been appointed at Moorepark Technology Limited (MTL), which is based at Teagasc Moorepark in Co. Cork.

Aine Hallihan, director of research and development at dairy processor Carbery Group, has been selected for the role.

Moorepark Technology Limited is a joint venture company established by Teagasc with shareholders from the Irish dairy industry to provide commercial food grade research services for food industry customers.

The business is a "key constituent" of the Teagasc Food Research Centre at Moorepark.

Moorepark Technology Limited consists of a pilot-plant facility "offering versatile pilot-scale processing equipment and services to support the food industry".

Teagasc said Aine Hallihan has over 25 years of experience in the dairy, food, and ingredients industries, having worked in the areas of research, innovation and commercialisation.

Speaking on her appointment as Moorepark Technology Limited chairperson, Hallihan said: "We are in the final stages developing a new strategy for MTL for the next five years and I look forward to working with the chief executive, the staff and the shareholders to implement this strategy over the coming years."

Hallihan takes over the role as chairperson from George MacLeod, who has completed his term as chairperson of the MTL board.

Commenting on the new chairperson, Teagasc Authority chairperson Liam Herlihy said: "I congratulate Aine on her appointment and look forward to working with her as chairperson of MTL.

"I would also like to thank George for his contribution to the development of MTL over the last number of years," Herlihy added.

Padraig Walshe Centre

In other recent news coming out of Teagasc Moorepark, construction is now underway on the Padraig Walshe Centre for Sustainable Animal and Grassland Research at the Co. Cork facility.

The €12 million centre will provide state-of-the-art laboratory and animal metabolism facilities to support research aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient losses from grassland-based livestock systems.

The facility will also focus on improving productivity and resilience, along with enhancing the environmental sustainability and competitiveness of Ireland’s agri food sector.

The new centre is named after the late Padraig Walshe, who was a former chair of Farmer Business Developments plc and a past president of both the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and Copa, one half of the wider EU farmer and co-operative representative body Copa Cogeca.