Governance Ireland has recommended that the board of Bord Bia should review the current oversight structures in relation to the overall strategy of Bord Bia and the Origin Green and quality assurance (QA) programmes.
This is to “enable the confidence” of board oversight of these key issues, the review states.
The Origin Green Programme and the QA programme are two of Bord Bia’s flagship programmes when it comes to marketing Irish produce and delivering higher standards when it comes to Irish food production.
“The recent period has given rise to questions relating to specific elements of the Origin Green and quality assurance programmes,” the review states.
“Based on feedback received and, despite very good reporting in the Bord Bia annual reports, many board members feel there is a need for greater and more active board oversight and understanding of Origin Green and quality assurance. Oversight of both currently rests with the quality assurance subsidiary board.”
Governance Ireland also recommended that key strategic and emerging risks are identified and agreed and discussed on a regular basis at board level in relation to both programmes.
Stakeholder engagement
The report also cites a number of issues in relation to stakeholder engagement and public accountability.
In the survey of board members, the lowest scoring question related to whether the stakeholder engagement model was fit for purpose. This issue was also raised in the feedback from board members.
The report states that the “overall assessment is that the board demonstrates strong commitment to accountability and transparency” and that it recognises its public accountability role, there is clear recognition of the need to engage a broad stakeholder base across agriculture, food industry, and wider sectors.
Feedback indicated the need to bolster stakeholder engagement
“While there appears to be a comprehensive stakeholder strategy, feedback indicated the need to bolster stakeholder engagement, to ensure dialogue, both listening to stakeholder feedback but also ensuring effective communication from Bord Bia to stakeholders, and for the board to receive more in-depth briefings.
“Some concerns were expressed about lack of understanding amongst stakeholders of the connection between Bord Bia programmes such as quality assurance and the bigger picture. Bord Bia should strengthen stakeholder engagement while preserving board independence and avoiding any perception of stakeholder capture,” it found.
The report recommends that the board “undertake a review of the current stakeholder relationship programmes and decide with the executive on the approaches to be taken and the reporting required by the board”.
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