Ireland's commitment to sustainable food production took centre stage in Abu Dhabi today (Tuesday) as Bord Bia's Chief Executive Aidan Cotter addressed over 300 delegates attending the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA). The forum is a two-day international trade event focussed on world class innovations in agriculture. Bord Bia's Origin Green programme was selected as one of only three key topics for discussion as part of today's opening ceremony.
His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment for the Middle East officially opened today's event which is taking place in Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre. Speaking ahead of Aidan Cotter's presentation, HE Dr Thani delivered the welcome address to hundreds of VIPs, government officials, international and regional agri-scientists.
GFIA is one of the world's largest and most influential sustainable agriculture show welcoming thousands of agri-scientists, inventors, growers, food suppliers and producers, NGOs, and key government officials. The event has attracted exhibitors and delegates from around the world and acts as an international platform to debate global food security, sustainable food production and climate change.
The sustainability theme and focus of today's conference is also reflected in Bord Bia's stand at the exhibition which showcases Origin Green and Ireland's agri-food industry. Over 485 Irish food and drink companies have signed up to Origin Green, which accounts for 95% of all food and drink exporters. At farm level, more than half of Irish dairy and 90% of Irish beef production comes from farms signed up to Origin Green. To date, Bord Bia has conducted over 100,000 carbon assessments on Irish farms, with over 900 taking place each week.