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"The historic State Visit to Britain by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, will enhance the 'green' reputation of Ireland's agri-food industry in our key export market" according to Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia. The UK is a major net importer of food, with imports accounting for approximately one-third of consumption. Ireland is a key food trading partner for the UK due to its proximity and high quality sustainable produce. The UK remains the largest export market for Irish food and drink, with 42% of exports, valued at €4.2 billion, destined for the market in 2013. "The State Visit, and in particular the President's participation in a farm visit (Thursday 10th April), provides us with an invaluable opportunity to highlight Bord Bia's Origin Green programme and promote Ireland's ambition to become a world leader in the delivery of sustainable, high-quality food and drink products" Mr. Cotter added.
Developed by Bord Bia, Origin Green is an industry-wide sustainability programme incorporating both Irish farmers and manufacturers. At farm level, Bord Bia has carbon footprinted over 57,000 Irish farms to date, with an average of 600 audits taking place each week monitoring a wide range of criteria including food safety, traceability, animal health and welfare and the environment. Following an audit, each farmer receives tailored feedback, including a comparison with the results for similar enterprises. This insight allows the farmer to work towards reducing the farm's carbon footprint over time. Meanwhile, for an Irish food manufacturer to become a member of Origin Green, they must develop a customised sustainability plan that identifies clear targets in key areas of sustainability, such as emissions, energy, waste, water management, biodiversity and CSR activities. Once the timeline and targets are established, each plan is independently verified and thereafter, progress is measured and reported on an annual basis. Since its launch in 2012, over 324 Irish food and drink companies, representing over 85% of total exports, have registered their commitment to the programme.
Speaking ahead of the State Visit Aidan Cotter commented "Origin Green is the world's first sustainability programme to carbon footprint farms on what is in effect a national scale and doing so in a process of measurement, feedback and continuous improvement. The programme also focusses on bio-diversity, water conservation and water management. By 2016, all Irish food and drink exports from farms and food businesses will have verified sustainability commitments ensuring the objective of Ireland becoming a world leader in sustainable food production."
FAI Farm Visit
On Thursday 10th April, President Higgins, accompanied by Mrs. Higgins, will visit a Food Animal Initiative (FAI) farm based in Wytham, Oxford. The farm was nominated by Bord Bia on the basis of its innovative sustainability research. During the visit, the President and Mrs. Higgins will meet with Brigadier Nigel Mogg, Her Majesty's Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, George Eustice MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Farming, Food and Marine Environment for DEFRA, Aidan Cotter and representatives from FAI. Mr. Cotter will deliver a presentation on the Origin Green programme to an audience of key influential stakeholders including government officials, leading retailers and media. In addition, four of Bord Bia's Origin Green Ambassadors based in the UK market will attend the farm visit. A total of ten Ambassadors were recruited last year to build trade awareness and globally promote the Origin Green programme by establishing relationships, and deepening existing relations, with the world's leading food and drink companies. The Ambassadors will be accompanied by senior representatives from their individual host companies - Marks & Spencer, McDonalds, PepsiCo and Tesco UK.
Irish Food & Drink Exports to the UK
In 2013, the value of Irish food and drink exports to the UK increased by 8% on the previous year to reach €4.2 billion, over €1 billion more than the 2009 figure. Last year, beef exports increased by €90 million to €1.12 billion, and dairy exports increased by €150 million to reach €1.1 billion. The UK accounts for 37% of Ireland's total dairy exports. Other key export categories include prepared foods valued at €624million, beverages (€377 million) and pigmeat €330 million.
A strong balance of trade exists between Britain and Ireland. While the UK market remains Ireland's largest export market for Irish food and drink exports, in turn Ireland is the number one destination for UK food and non-alcoholic drink.
The UK population is projected to grow by 10 million over the next 25 years, twice the Irish population. This is a huge opportunity for Irish food and drink exports which is already in a very strong position across all categories in the UK market.
Bord Bia's involvement in the State Visit
Over the past few months, Bord Bia's London office has been working with the relevant agencies and the Embassy of Ireland in preparation for the State Visit. In addition to the farm visit, Bord Bia will showcase the best of Irish food and drink, including Irish beef, smoked salmon and farmhouse cheeses, at two key events during the President's visit. Senior representatives from Bord Bia will also attend a number of the events honouring the Presidential visit including the City of London's official reception and banquet at Guildhall; the business breakfast briefing to be hosted by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the concluding celebratory event in Royal Albert Hall.