Bord Bia will host a European Meat Forum from Monday, June 9th to Tuesday, June 12th next showcasing premium Irish meat to over 200 delegates representing 16 European markets. The Forum is a key part of Bord Bia’s strategy to assist the continued repositioning of Irish meat in an increasingly competitive European marketplace.
Among the attendees will be buyers from the majority of key retailers and food service operators in the UK and mainland European including Asda, Sainsburys and Somerfield in the UK; Carrefour and Intermarche in France; Dehaize in Belgium; Co-Op in Italy; Albert Heijn in the Netherlands and Rewe in Germany.
This is the third European Meat Forum with previous Fora held in 2001 and 2004. According to Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia “this years delegates are the most internationally diverse to date and include some of Europe’s most influential retail and food service representatives. Twenty one of the attending retailers are ranked in the top three in their respective markets and the buyer’s combined turnover is valued at approximately €220 billion.”
This year, the event has a new format, taking place over two days and including a ‘satellite programme’ of farm visits. It is also being hosted outside Dublin for the first time with the main conference taking place on Tuesday, June 10th at the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny. Almost 200 Irish meat industry representatives will attend the conference in addition to the international delegates.
The farm visits allow the international delegates to experience and examine, first hand, specialist productions systems, first class farm management and the superior quality of meat available in Ireland. The quality assured farms have been specially chosen for their exceptional standards of production and livestock. All of the farmers (listed below) are nationally recognised for their expertise and their enthusiasm for producing high quality Irish meat. Following the farm visits, delegates will be accommodated overnight in a network of picturesque country hotel locations where, to reinforce product origin and traceability, they will enjoy beef, lamb or pigmeat sourced from the farms they have visited earlier in the day.
The conference, chaired by broadcaster John Bowman, will address changing consumer needs and trends; the future of meat production and consumption in Europe and the marketing and development of premium brands. High profile speakers include Rick Barrera, CEO of Overpromise Inc, whose keynote presentation is entitled ‘Delivering on the Premium Promise’ and Paolo Tramelli from Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma who will explain how the Parma region has developed a premium world-wide brand based on geographical location.
Kyle Connaughton, Head Development Chef at the Michelin Star Fat Duck Restaurant and a panel of meat experts will lead an open discussion on the formula for the perfect meat and, finally, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia will conclude proceedings, discussing premiumisation and the opportunity for meat in Europe.
Farm Visits:
- REPS beef and lamb - Denis & John Large, Urlingford, nr. Thurles, Co. Tipperary
- REPS beef and lamb - Derek Deane, Hacketstown, Co.Carlow
- Suckler welfare beef - David Johnson, Redcross, Co. Wicklow
- Angus - George & Catherine Kent, Ballinamona, Co. Waterford
- Angus - Ben & Elaine Ryall, Watergrasshill, Co. Cork
- Angus - Richard Hogg, Stonyford, Co. Kilkenny
- Hereford Beef - Ivor & Joe Deverell, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
- Organic beef and lamb - Ben & Charlotte Colchester, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny
- West Cork Beef - Billy Nicholson, Crosshaven, Co. Cork
- Rose veal - Michael O'Neill, Carnew, Co.Wexford