The Bord Bia sustainability conference was attended by almost 900 delegates from all over the world including China, Russia, Dubai and Nigeria.

They arrived to hear insights on sustainability from multinational companies like McDonalds, Nestlé, Kerry and Tesco.

There is growing recognition that this is a primary driver of growth as nine billion people will need twice as much food by 2050. All at a time where we must limit greenhouse gas emissions, farm on less land, and cope with more urbanisation.

Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia chief executive, noted that 282 companies and 35,000 farmers are now ‘Origin Green’ and that, by the end of 2014, 75% of Irish exports will come through the programme.

John Horgan, CEO Kepak Group, said the meat sector has huge potential and the use of genomics in the sector would make it easier.

“We must work smarter with science and realise that a significant proportion of the carbon footprint is created within the farm gate. There is too much talk about price and not enough talk about margin and we must embed sustainability as a culture all along the chain.”

JC Gonsalez from McDonalds, who buys 10% of Ireland’s beef exports and are our fourth largest market for Irish beef, said that sourcing is their main aim of focus and beef is under close scrutiny.

“You are only as good as your weakest link in the supply chain,” he said, adding that “we are at the top of our game in Ireland”.

Tesco are even looking at more formal partnerships. With huge customer insight, the challenge now is to get this back down the supply chain so the farmer can benefit from it.

Jim Bergin, GIIL CEO, said: “Volatility is the new fear factor – it is a problem for consumers, customers and producers.”

Glanbia has offered farmers options to reduce their exposure to price volatility, helping to sustain their businesses.

Impact

How does this all relate inside the farm gate and to the Irish shopper? Scrutiny and expectations are rising and transparency is the key.

Sustainable food doesn’t mean a whole lot to most consumers.

People want to take care of ‘their world’ before saving ‘the world’. The greatest challenge is to connect sustainability back, make it credible, gain trust and most importantly get rewarded for it.

These organisations recognise that sustainaiblity is a strategic asset where the primary producer is now a critical part of the chain.