Laois producers win big European award

A Laois company has won a big European Award for the production of organic food.

The Merry Mill, Ireland's first organic gluten-free oat mill, has won an EU Organic Award for 2023 in the category 'Best organic food processing SME', the European Commission announced.

The family-run organic farm in Vicarstown, founded by Jenny and Kevin Scully, produces a range of organic gluten-free foods in a closed-loop system on their organic farm.

They built the gluten-free oat mill in order to manage the whole process from start to finish to ensure no cross-contamination of other grains occurs.

The European Commission unveiled today the eight winners of the second edition of the EU Organic Awards. The awards recognise excellence along the European organic value chain. The EU Organic Awards also mark the celebration of the EU Organic Day launched by the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission in 2021.

This year, a pool of close to 100 applications from all over Europe were received, with 24 shortlisted candidates selected from 11 EU countries. The EU Organic Awards scheme comprises 7 categories and 8 individual awards. They acknowledge excellent, innovative, sustainable and inspiring projects producing real added value for organic production and consumption. 

EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski said: "I would like to congratulate all winners. In cultivating our land with the principles of organic farming, they not only nourish our soil but also provide healthy and quality products. Today’s EU Organic Awards winners are the prime examples on how the production and availability of more organic food can bring benefits to farmers, consumers, and society at large."

The awards are jointly organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, with the support of the European Parliament and the Council.