1. What is the Bord Bia Quality Mark?
The Bord Bia Quality Mark means that the highest level of care and attention has been given to how the food you purchase is produced. Products bearing the Quality Mark are produced to the highest quality standards from the farm of origin through to the shop shelf. The flag and the ‘Origin Ireland’ on the mark verify that the product was produced in Ireland. It is these high quality standards that give consumers peace of mind when shopping. The product has met the standards of the Bord Bia QAS both at processor and at farm level.
2. What products does it cover?
Bord Bia operates Quality Assurance Schemes for the following: Bacon, Beef, Chicken, Duck, Eggs, Fruit, Lamb, Pork, Turkey and Vegetables.
3. How long has it been in existence?
The Bord Bia Quality Mark was introduced in 1989 with the pigmeat sector in response to consumer demand for information on where their food comes from and how it has been produced. This was quickly followed by beef in 1991, and eggs in 1999. The poultry sector joined in 2000, while horticulture was included in 2001.
4. What role does Bord Bia play in the Quality Mark?
Bord Bia is the guardian of the Quality Mark. The organisation has a quality assurance division which is continually developing new standards, improving existing standards and ensuring the timely and efficient auditing and certification of members to each of the scheme. Safeguarding the integrity of the schemes requires continual review and systems improvement particularly given the increased utilisation and recognition of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance logo.
5. How important is the Quality Mark to Irish agriculture?
The Bord Bia Quality Mark is very important for Irish Agriculture. The Quality Mark ensures that producers are delivering the highest standards to consumers and that consumers are aware of the origin of the food they purchase. The Bord Bia Quality Assurance schemes are accredited to IS EN ISO 9001:2008 with the National Standards Authority of Ireland and to the European Standard EN45011 – this means that they are recognised internationally which is very important for exports. Irish agricultural exports is currently valued at €7.1 billion. The Bord Bia schemes are themselves regularly audited to ensure that they are keeping pace with the best global standards.
6. Are the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes recognised internationally?
All the Bord Bia Quality Assurance schemes are accredited to IS EN ISO 9001:2008 with the National Standards Authority of Ireland and to the European Standard EN45011 – this means that they are recognised internationally which is very important for exports. The Bord Bia schemes are themselves regularly audited to ensure that they are keeping pace with the best global standards
7. How many producers have the Bord Bia Quality Mark?
Although the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes are voluntary schemes there is significant support for them from farmers and the food industry. Currently over 40,000 farmers and over 150 food processors and packers are members of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes.
8. Can imported meat or other foods which are processed in a Bord Bia Approved Food Company in Ireland carry the Bord Bia Quality Mark with the Irish tricolour?
Only food produced on approved Irish farms and processed in approved Irish factories can carry the Origin Ireland Quality Mark. Currently all the members of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance
9. How can you say that the Quality Mark is the only label that assures you of the country of origin?
All the Bord Bia Quality Assurance standards comply to international best practice and are independently certified on a regular basis.