ABOUT US

Founded in 1988, IGFA is the united voice of the compound feed manufacturers, feed material importers, grain intake and premix companies in Ireland. The Irish Feed Industry produces approximately 5.7 million tonnes of animal feed, provides employment for thousands of people throughout the country and is an essential partner in the Irish rural economy. The overall value of the animal feed industry to the Irish economy is approx. €2.5-3bn.

Our full members include feed manufacturers, feed importers and grain collectors. Our ancillary members are mostly additive and premix manufacturers. Our members are from both independent and cooperative businesses and many are family run companies that have been at the heart of Irish rural life for generations. All of our members adhere to international, mutually recognised quality assurance programmes that ensure the highest feed safety standards.  

All sectors of our membership are represented on the IGFA Feed Committee. This committee is our decision-making body and drives the political and technical direction of the organisation. It convenes quarterly.

OUR MISSION

IGFA’s mission is to support our members by creating a political and economic environment that enables them to produce safe and nutritious feed profitably and sustainably.  We do this through

  1. Political representation –  we represent, defend and promote the interests of the Irish compound feed and premix industry with government, the European Institutions, international bodies and other stakeholders. Our lobbying aims to inform and direct policy decisions that will impact on our industry and secure the best deal for our members. We regularly meet with government officials, politicians and work closely with others in the food chain on issues ranging from climate change to mycotoxins. We also represent the industry on various government committees and forums.
  2. Information– we ensure that members are kept up to date on adjustments to the rules and regulations that might affect their businesses, political developments that will impact on the agri food sector and potential market changes on the horizon. This allows members to prepare and adapt.
  3. Technical support – as part of a monthly newsletter we provide our members with relevant technical updates and food and feed safety alerts.
  4. Personal development – we facilitate training and continued learning for members through workshops, conferences and certified training courses and by providing a platform where members can share best practice.

The IGFA Team

Dr. John Coleman, IGFA President

Dr. John Coleman was elected IGFA President in September 2024.  He previously served as Chairman of the IGFA Feed Committee for 7 years and has been an active member of the committee for the last 14 years. He has a degree in Agricultural Science and PhD in dairy production systems from UCD. He is currently a Trader with ADM Arkady Ireland and worked in commercial and nutrition roles with Aurivo and herd health programmes with Munster Bovine.

 

Michael Shields, IGFA Committee Chairman

Michael Shields was elected Chairman of the IGFA Feed Committee in September 2024. He is Chief Technical Officer at Connolly’s Red Mills and a member of the Senior Management Team.   He holds a B.Agr.Sc degree from UCD and an MBA from RMIT University, Melbourne.  He oversees feed formulation, product research & development, quality control, technical support, lab services and business relationships at Connolly’s Red Mills having joined the company in 2018.  Michael has spent almost all of his career in technical and commercial roles in the Animal Feed and Animal Health Industries including roles at TP Whelehan, Alltech, Trident and Fyffes.  His working career has taken him to over 20 countries and he has lived in England, Australia and Central America.  He is a past president of the Irish Pig Health Society and is a member of the Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS) Sub-Committee of the British Equine Trade Association (BETA).  

Maeve Whyte
IGFA Director General

Cornelia O’Connell
IGFA Regulatory Specialist

European Partners

IGFA is member of the influential European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC). Founded in 1959 by five national compound feed associations from France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, its membership is now made up of national associations from 22 EU Member States. It also has a number of observer/associated members from non-EU countries.
Based in Brussels, FEFAC is the eyes, ears and voice of the European compound feed industry and represents and promotes the views of our industry to the European institutions, international bodies and all other policy stakeholders. IGFA staff and members contribute constantly to the political and technical work of FEFAC through their involvement in the Council and specialist committees.

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