Ireland enjoys a strong reputation as a source of natural, high quality food, drink and ingredients and with a temperate climate and green countryside, it is in a strong starting position for sustainable food and drink production.

Agriculture is a very important industry in Ireland and therefore we are taking great care to make sure our food is produced in a sustainable way for future generations. Ireland, with a population of almost 5 million people produces enough food to feed 36 million people. We export almost 90% of our dairy output. That puts Ireland in a great position to supply the requirements of consumers in the Gulf region.

Launched in 2012, Origin Green is a national sustainability plan for the entire food and beverage sector. It unites government, the private sector and food producers through Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board.

Under the Origin Green Charter, food producers make commitments under three key areas: raw material sourcing; manufacturing processes and social sustainability. The charter enables food manufacturers to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that help them reduce environmental impact, achieve efficiencies in the daily running of their businesses and improve their impact on society.

Ireland’s Dairy Production

Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) was launched in December 2013 and continues to be rolled out across Ireland. Almost 17,000 of Ireland’s dairy farms have applied to take part in the scheme. Today, over 30,000 carbon audits have been conducted and 15,000 farms have become certified members of the SDAS. These certified farms account for over 85% of Ireland’s dairy farms.

The future of the Irish food and drink industry is reliant on continuing to drive growth of Irish food exports around the world while developing a thorough and robust strategy to address the challenge presented by climate change. Consumers in the GCC region are increasingly aware of the challenges of climate change and are increasingly making informed choices about the source of the products they buy. Ireland’s dairy industry is responding to this need and is a willing long term partner for dairy manufacturers, dairy packers, bakery companies, confectionery manufacturers and beverage producers as well as retail and foodservice operators.

Learn more: OriginGreen.ie/dairy

Contact: Dubai@bordbia.ie

Story continues below
Advertisement