The dairy industry is one of Ireland's most important, indigenous industries and has a vital role in the country's economy. An export-driven industry, 85 per cent of Ireland's dairy products are sent abroad. Valued at €2.3billion, these exports represented 27 per cent of total food and drink exports in 2008.rnTo ensure continued success for the Irish dairy industry, recent activities have focused on developing higher value-added products, such as new and innovative foods that enhance human health. Recognising the strategic importance of the dairy industry to the economy, the Irish government, working through Enterprise Ireland, supported and funded the creation of Food for Health Ireland (FHI), a partnership of academic and government researchrninfant development, metabolic function, infection and immunity and age-related muscle loss.
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