Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has secured commitment from Bord Bia that it will revisit its focus on farmer experiences with audits.
This comes following a meeting of key stakeholders, including farmer and industry representatives, to discuss ongoing issues between the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and Bord Bia.
Following the meeting, Minister Heydon stated: “There was a detailed and thorough discussion in relation to several specific issues related to Bord Bia which have been raised in recent weeks.
"The discussion also focused on what can be done to improve the experience for farmers around audits, while ensuring the Quality Assurance (QA) schemes are future proofed to continue to benefit farmers and the Irish agri-food sector.
"All participants had the chance to express their views and were heard. I am pleased that stakeholders engaged constructively.”
Renewed focus
The Minister identified from contributions that there needs to be a renewed focus on farmer experience of the audit and Bord Bia engagement with farmers.
As a result, Bord Bia, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, has committed to:
Revisit the focus on farmer experiences with audits, as we move towards the end of the criteria review process in the technical advisory committees. Establish a farmer forum on QA schemes to improve farmer engagement and two-way feedback on the work of Bord Bia.A dedicated information campaign, with stakeholder input, to better inform the general public about the Origin Green and QA schemes and what that means for consumers in Ireland and elsewhere.The Department of Agriculture will undertake an initiative to enhance understanding of global supply chains for Irish food and drink and understanding of labelling and food information for the consumer requirements.
All parties were asked to engage with these processes in good faith, and to provide further feedback.
CAP
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss key priorities for the year ahead, including CAP post-2027, EU budget negotiations, water quality and the nitrates derogation, animal disease issues, supports for generational renewal, and the steps all stakeholders need to take collectively to improve health and safety on-farm.
“The real success of the agri-food sector lies in our ability to work together; we have seen this through our successive strategies for the sector and the collaborative way in which we have responded to significant challenges over the last decade, including Brexit and the COVID-19 crisis.”
“The discussions today will provide a starting point for the midterm review of Food Vision 2030, our stakeholder-led strategy," he said.
A public consultation on the midterm review of Food Vision 2030 will be launched later this month.
'First steps'
Macra was in attendance at Friday's meeting and welcomed the dialogue with the Minister on key issues affecting farmers.
"As part of this significant engagement, the organisation welcomes positive first steps in resolving the continued issues surrounding Bord Bia in the form of constructive proposals to rebuild confidence in Bord Bia and give greater input of farmer voice," Macra president Josephine O'Neill said.
Macra, she added, looks forward to continued engagement to ensure that the important issues highlighted in recent weeks are addressed.
The organisation also welcomed the opportunity to highlight key issues that are facing young farmers both currently and in the development of the new CAP proposals.
Meanwhile, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president Denis Drennan said his association will take the Minister’s proposals away for study and revert in due course.
Drennan said that he did not think the proposals went far enough, but he said that the situation required full focus and the ICMSA was happy to give it.
“We’ll give the proposals the necessary study and then revert with our own detailed proposals to address the current impasse."
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has secured commitment from Bord Bia that it will revisit its focus on farmer experiences with audits.
This comes following a meeting of key stakeholders, including farmer and industry representatives, to discuss ongoing issues between the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and Bord Bia.
Following the meeting, Minister Heydon stated: “There was a detailed and thorough discussion in relation to several specific issues related to Bord Bia which have been raised in recent weeks.
"The discussion also focused on what can be done to improve the experience for farmers around audits, while ensuring the Quality Assurance (QA) schemes are future proofed to continue to benefit farmers and the Irish agri-food sector.
"All participants had the chance to express their views and were heard. I am pleased that stakeholders engaged constructively.”
Renewed focus
The Minister identified from contributions that there needs to be a renewed focus on farmer experience of the audit and Bord Bia engagement with farmers.
As a result, Bord Bia, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, has committed to:
Revisit the focus on farmer experiences with audits, as we move towards the end of the criteria review process in the technical advisory committees. Establish a farmer forum on QA schemes to improve farmer engagement and two-way feedback on the work of Bord Bia.A dedicated information campaign, with stakeholder input, to better inform the general public about the Origin Green and QA schemes and what that means for consumers in Ireland and elsewhere.The Department of Agriculture will undertake an initiative to enhance understanding of global supply chains for Irish food and drink and understanding of labelling and food information for the consumer requirements.
All parties were asked to engage with these processes in good faith, and to provide further feedback.
CAP
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss key priorities for the year ahead, including CAP post-2027, EU budget negotiations, water quality and the nitrates derogation, animal disease issues, supports for generational renewal, and the steps all stakeholders need to take collectively to improve health and safety on-farm.
“The real success of the agri-food sector lies in our ability to work together; we have seen this through our successive strategies for the sector and the collaborative way in which we have responded to significant challenges over the last decade, including Brexit and the COVID-19 crisis.”
“The discussions today will provide a starting point for the midterm review of Food Vision 2030, our stakeholder-led strategy," he said.
A public consultation on the midterm review of Food Vision 2030 will be launched later this month.
'First steps'
Macra was in attendance at Friday's meeting and welcomed the dialogue with the Minister on key issues affecting farmers.
"As part of this significant engagement, the organisation welcomes positive first steps in resolving the continued issues surrounding Bord Bia in the form of constructive proposals to rebuild confidence in Bord Bia and give greater input of farmer voice," Macra president Josephine O'Neill said.
Macra, she added, looks forward to continued engagement to ensure that the important issues highlighted in recent weeks are addressed.
The organisation also welcomed the opportunity to highlight key issues that are facing young farmers both currently and in the development of the new CAP proposals.
Meanwhile, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president Denis Drennan said his association will take the Minister’s proposals away for study and revert in due course.
Drennan said that he did not think the proposals went far enough, but he said that the situation required full focus and the ICMSA was happy to give it.
“We’ll give the proposals the necessary study and then revert with our own detailed proposals to address the current impasse."
SHARING OPTIONS