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Friday, 29 March 2013 03:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Fonterra Ambassador and New Zealand All Black Rugby Captain Richie McCaw today joined 50 Sri Lankan dairy farmers at Fonterra’s milk processing site in Biyagama, getting an up-close look at Fonterra’s contribution to the national dairy industry in Sri Lanka.
As Fonterra’s global ambassador, McCaw is visiting Sri Lanka to learn more about the business and today’s tour introduced him to a key focus area for Fonterra – national dairy development.
McCaw said: “Like rugby, Kiwis love dairy. Producing milk is a big part of who we are, and what we do. Our dairy industry was founded around 200 years 
ago and Fonterra is built on this tradition and expertise. It is fantastic to see Fonterra using this knowledge to help develop the national dairy industry in Sri Lanka.
Managing Director, Fonterra Co-operative Affairs, Todd Muller, who has travelled with McCaw from New Zealand, said that Fonterra has been working alongside the dairy industry in Sri Lanka for generations and was committed to stepping up its support for the sector.
“We support the Government’s drive to build a strong national dairy industry in Sri Lanka and we want to work alongside them to achieve this. Fonterra is a world leader in dairy and we are committed to utilising our knowledge and expertise to drive development and growth. Bringing Richie – a world leader in rugby – to Sri Lanka demonstrates our strong commitment to the country and the dairy industry,” he said.
McCaw’s visit is not the first time Fonterra has brought international experts to Sri Lanka to help develop the national dairy industry, said Managing Director, Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka, Leon Clement.
His visit follows the appointment of Denise Burrell as Fonterra’s Extension Farm Manager.
“Denise is a true expert in the field of dairy development – she has over 20 years of experience in training dairy farmers in best practice in countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Australia, Indonesia and India,” said Clement.
“Having her on the team enables us to step-up our farmer development initiatives, allowing us to further support 
the Government’s objective of increasing local dairy production. We are now looking at how we can further build on this and are committed to further investment in the sector.”
Nimal Amarathunga, a farmer in Fonterra’s farmer development program had the opportunity to meet Richie on the tour of the Fonterra site.
“It was a privilege to meet Richie today. This was also the first time I’ve seen where my milk goes after I deliver it to the Kiriwaththuduwa collection centre each day. Seeing the real emphasis on quality and safety Fonterra puts on processing the milk I produce made me proud to be supplying them with milk,” he said.
McCaw concluded that it is clear Fonterra is committed to helping develop a strong national dairy industry in Sri Lanka.
“From what I’ve seen today, it is clear that Fonterra is committed to helping Sri Lankan farmers grow their dairying skills and expertise through the dairy development program. The recent opening of the country’s first ever solar powered chilling centre earlier this year and the appointment of Denise also demonstrates Fonterra’s focus on developing new methods, processes and technology to help develop the overall efficiency of the sector,” he said.
