Dr. Spillane, Mr. S. Byrne and Mr. Gerard Downey have been active in the decision making bodies of ICC for many years. Megazyme International Ireland Ltd. Since 1997 Ireland has again been a full member in ICC, The country s National Delegate is Mrs. Angela Kennedy. Megazyme International is one of the ICC Corporate Members and unique in being the only company worldwide specifically developing and supplying diagnostic test kits and reagents for the cereals, food, feed and fermentation industries. The total grain production in Ireland is relatively low, but cereals make a valuable contribution to the Irish economy providing the raw materials for the flour, malting brewing and animal feed sectors. Malting barley is an important crop for Ireland considerable malting brewing and distilling industries.
Irish malt is exported to many countries in Europe, Asia and South America.
T. M. Thomas, carries out comprehensive field and laboratory research in agronomy, physiology, pathology and entomology. Research on quality of cereals is focussed mainly on bread wheats, malting barley and oats. Comprehensive investigations are carried out on evaluating varieties and developing new baking technologies to increase the use of Irish wheat in a range of food including bread, biscuit and other foods. 35 academic staff, ca. 200 graduate and 650 undergraduate students.