https://climatejournal.news/ en https://climatejournal.news/news/building-success-on-strong-relationship-with-the-land <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Building success on strong relationship with the land</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/building-success-on-strong-relationship-with-the-land" data-a2a-title="Building success on strong relationship with the land"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/sustainable-agriculture" hreflang="en">Sustainable Agriculture</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/sustainable-business" hreflang="en">Sustainable Business</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/sustainable-food" hreflang="en">Sustainable Food</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/sustainable-agriculture" hreflang="en">Sustainable Agriculture</a></div> </div> </div> <img alt="Building success on strong relationship with the land" title="Building success on strong relationship with the land" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/1479.jpg?itok=WRYy5gic" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4583 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4584 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Agriculture is intertwined with nature, and to ensure long-term production, it is vital to adopt practices that keep the soil and surrounding ecosystems healthy.</p> <p>As a family business located in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford in Ireland, <a href="https://slaneyfarms.com/" target="_blank">Slaney Farms</a> has built a reputation for producing high-quality potatoes and leading the way in sustainability under the management of John Stafford and colleagues, led by Farm Manager Ed Tobin since it was established in 1996.</p> <p>They run their operation on 1,000 acres of land with a fully integrated potato processing system, from planting, growing, and harvesting through to marketing and distribution.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4587 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--42-58"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4585 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Kylie Doran, Senior Sales Administrator at Slaney Farms, proudly shares: “Our farm operates under the Sustainable Horticulture Scheme. Since 2016, 100% sustainably sourced and recycled paper has been used, and we have reduced the plastic microns in packaging by 20% and the plastic microns in pallet wrap by 52%.</p> <p>We have measures in our manufacturing process to reduce energy, improve overall vehicle efficiency, reduce general waste, and increase recycling. We also have a rainwater harvesting, recycling, and conservation system in place.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4586 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/1480.jpg" width="726" height="487" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">John Stafford, Managing Director, Slaney Farms</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4588 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>She assures that sustainability is deeply important to Slaney Farms and that the business is committed to opening its eyes to new things and measuring what practices it already has in place to best navigate a path for its farmers and producers to maintain productivity and profitability while embracing practices to protect soils and habitats that enable them to provide fantastic Irish produce.</p> <p>Kylie says: “For the past 15 years, we have practised minimum tillage in conjunction with cover cropping. We are dedicated cereal and potato growers and we have seen the benefits of incorporating organically produced Irish seaweed in the nutritional growing plan for both its potato and cereal crops.”</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4591 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--42-58"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4589 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Slaney Farms became an <a href="https://www.origingreen.ie/" target="_blank">Origin Green</a> member in 2017, an initiative run by Bord Bia to empower sustainable farming practices.</p> <p>Since then, they have set targets in several different business areas, including supplier certification, packaging, energy, fuel, waste, and community engagement.</p> <p>Managing Director John Stafford says: “We are immensely proud of the targets and goals that have been achieved through the scheme, and we feel the Origin Green journey has helped build on the sustainability measures Slaney Farms has aimed to achieve in the past, the present, and into the future.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4590 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/1481.jpg" width="848" height="625" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Slaney Farms has achieved gold status for their Origin Green for the last number of years. Image: Slaney Farms</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4592 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>In recognition of their work, they also won first place in the ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ category of the Wexford Chamber Business Awards 2023.</p> <p>Slaney Farms has recently begun utilising the farm building roof space with solar power.</p> <p>Kylie explains: “The efficiency of how we use energy is very important, and we have just completed a “Green energy audit” through the <a href="https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/" target="_blank">Local Enterprise Office Wexford</a>. This has allowed us to highlight some changes that we can make, such as converting some of our lighting over to LED, assessing our insulation and carrying out leak tests on our fridge units.”</p> <p>Plans for their field practices are changing slightly as well. They recently switched their cover cropping mix to produce higher levels of biomass and also retain N levels in the soil through the use of legumes. They expect to see gains in soil structure and nutrient retention with this change.</p> <p>Kylie says: “The continued use of crop rotation with root crops, cereals, and cover crop mix has allowed us to reduce our chemical fertiliser, weed control, and disease control applications and rates. Building on this has been vital to our business and sustainability goals.</p> <blockquote> <p>We expect to see a reduction of approximately 25% for fertiliser this season through this and a significant reduction in our chemical applications to crops.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4596 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/1483.jpg" width="896" height="350" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Aerial view of Slaney Farms based in Co. Wexford, Ireland. Image: Slaney Farms</div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4597 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Speaking on one measure food producers could implement to enact meaningful change and drive the green transition, Kylie cannot understate the value of embracing the changes in cropping and cropping practices to align with the ever-changing climate.</p> <p>She emphasises the importance of addressing social and environmental sustainability.</p> <p>Kylie explains: “Social sustainability and the role we play in our wider community is central to our plans. Since 1996, we have sponsored the local Davidstown/ Courtnacuddy GAA club. We also donate regularly to staff-related charities and events and also local community events.”</p> <p>She adds: “Through an annual donation to VITA in Ethiopia (an Irish development partner that supports farmers and communities in Africa to facilitate thriving rural climate-smart economies), we help support communities further afield.”</p> <p>Recognising the importance of a healthy local economy to the community and its people, Slaney Farms strives to support local suppliers, building relationships with them and sourcing more local fruit and vegetables from them each year.</p> <p>Annually, they support local Wexford strawberry growers by sourcing over half a million euros worth of strawberries for their Slaney brand to supply large retail multiples across the country.</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">May 2024</div> <div class="field field--name-field-collaborative-content-with field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Collaborative content with</div> <div class="field--item"> <a href="/partner/profit-with-purpose-magazine">Profit with Purpose Magazine</a> </div> </div> Thu, 16 May 2024 17:19:07 +0000 Bronagh Loughlin 332 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/news/food-businesses-need-to-prepare-for-the-new-eu-action-plan-for-organic-farming <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Food businesses need to prepare for the new EU action plan for organic farming </span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/food-businesses-need-to-prepare-for-the-new-eu-action-plan-for-organic-farming" data-a2a-title="Food businesses need to prepare for the new EU action plan for organic farming "><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/organic-farming" hreflang="en">Organic Farming</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/food" hreflang="en">Food</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/agriculture" hreflang="en">Agriculture</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/sustainable-agriculture" hreflang="en">Sustainable Agriculture</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/eu-commission" hreflang="en">EU Commission</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/food-industry" hreflang="en">Food Industry</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/organic-farming" hreflang="en">Organic Farming</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/eu" hreflang="en">EU</a></div> </div> </div> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Business" title="Business" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/55.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Sustainability" title="Sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/52.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img alt="Food businesses need to prepare for the new EU action plan for organic farming " title="Food businesses need to prepare for the new EU action plan for organic farming " class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/599.jpg?itok=WfCj2QyC" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">The European Commission has presented its Action Plan for the development of organic production until 2030.</div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1955 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1956 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The European Commission has presented its recent <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/com2021_141_act_organic-action-plan_en.pdf" target="_blank">Action Plan for the development of organic production</a>.</p> <p>The overall aim of the new plan is to boost the production and consumption of organic products to reach 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030 and increase organic aquaculture significantly.</p> <p>The initiative is announced in line with the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/food/farm2fork_en" target="_blank">Farm to Fork</a> and <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/actions-being-taken-eu/eu-biodiversity-strategy-2030_en" target="_blank">Biodiversity strategies</a>, originally published by the EU Commission in May 2020.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1959 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--33-66"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--video paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1957"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video form-group"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1tXseroYYFs?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">EU Farm to Fork Strategy</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1958 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>These two strategies were presented in the context of the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en" target="_blank">European Green Deal</a> to enable the transition to sustainable food systems and tackle the key drivers of biodiversity loss.</p> <p>The Action Plan is designed to provide the already fast-growing organic sector with the right tools to achieve the 25% target.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1960 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>It puts forward 23 actions structured around three axes – increasing production, boosting consumption and further enhancing the sustainability of the sector – to ensure balanced growth.</p> <p>Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, said:</p> <p>“Agriculture is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss, and biodiversity loss is a major threat to agriculture.</p> <p>We urgently need to restore balance in our relationship with nature.</p> <p>This is not something farmers face alone; it involves the whole food chain.</p> <blockquote> <p>With this Action Plan, we aim to boost demand for organic farming, help consumers make informed choices, and support European farmers in their transition.</p> </blockquote> <p>The more land we dedicate to organic farming, the better the protection of biodiversity in that land and in surrounding areas.”</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1963 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--75-25"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1961 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>There are many important benefits to organic production: organic fields have approximately 30% more biodiversity, organically farmed animals enjoy a higher degree of animal welfare and take fewer antibiotics.</p> <p>Besides, organic farmers have higher incomes and are more resilient, and consumers know precisely what they are getting thanks to the EU organic logo.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1962 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/600.png" width="600" height="400" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">EU organic logo</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1964 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Growing consumption of organic products will be essential to encourage farmers to convert to organic farming and therefore, increase their profitability and resilience.</p> <p>To this end, the Action Plan puts forth several concrete actions aimed at boosting demand, maintaining consumer trust and bringing food closer to citizens.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1967 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--33-66"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1965 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/601.jpg" width="600" height="400" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Promoting organic food is part of the EU&#039;s Action Plan; Image: Pexels</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1966 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>This includes: informing and communicating about organic production, promoting the consumption of organic products, stimulating greater use of organics in public canteens through public procurement and increasing the distribution of organic products under the EU school scheme.</p> <p>Actions also aim to prevent fraud, increasing consumers’ trust and improving traceability of organic products.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1968 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Presently, about 8.5% of EU's agricultural area is farmed organically, and the trends show that with the present growth rate, the EU will reach 15-18% by 2030.</p> <p>This Action Plan provides the toolkit to make an extra push and reach 25%.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1970"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1969 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Currently, around 1.8% (€7.5 billion) of Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is used to support organic farming.</p> <p>The future CAP will include <strong>eco-schemes</strong>, which will be backed by a budget of €38 – 58 billion, for the period 2023 – 2027, depending on the CAP negotiations outcome.</p> <p>These eco-schemes can be deployed to boost organic farming.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1971 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The Commission is encouraging Member States to develop national organic action plans to increase their share of organic farming and complement the national CAP strategic plans.</p> <p>Beyond the CAP, key tools include organising information events and networking for sharing best practices and certification for groups of farmers rather than for individuals, research, and innovation.</p> <p>The use of blockchain and other technologies is part of the plan to improve traceability, increase market transparency, reinforce local and small-scale processing, support the organisation of the food chain, and enhance animal nutrition.</p> <p>The Commission will also encourage the development of organic tourism networks through ‘<strong>biodistricts</strong>'.</p> <blockquote> <p>'Biodistricts' are areas where farmers, citizens, tourist operators, associations and public authorities work together towards the sustainable management of local resources, based on organic principles and practices.</p> </blockquote> <p>The Action Plan also aims to further improve organic farming's performance in terms of sustainability.</p> <p>To achieve this, actions will focus on improving animal welfare, ensuring the availability of organic seeds, reducing the sector's carbon footprint, and minimising the use of plastics, water and energy.</p> <p>The new Action Plan for organic farming will directly influence food businesses in the next few years within the EU to adopt sustainable practices and change their strategies.</p> <p class="font-xs-text-center"> </p> <p class="text-align-right"><span style="font-size:10px">Headline image: Photo by Daria Shevtsova from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/variety-of-vegetables-on-display-1508666/" target="_blank">Pexels</a></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">April 2021</div> Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:01:29 +0000 Bronagh Loughlin 141 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/news/carbon-emission-reporting-becomes-mandatory-in-ireland-for-green-food-industry-players <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Carbon emission reporting becomes mandatory in Ireland for green food industry players</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/carbon-emission-reporting-becomes-mandatory-in-ireland-for-green-food-industry-players" data-a2a-title="Carbon emission reporting becomes mandatory in Ireland for green food industry players"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" 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class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/agriculture" hreflang="en">Agriculture</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/food" hreflang="en">Food</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/sustainable-agriculture" hreflang="en">Sustainable Agriculture</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/carbon-emission" hreflang="en">Carbon Emission</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/ireland" hreflang="en">Ireland</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/sustainable-food" hreflang="en">Sustainable Food</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/carbon-emission" hreflang="en">Carbon Emission</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/economy" hreflang="en">Economy</a></div> </div> </div> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Business" title="Business" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/55.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Sustainability" title="Sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/52.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img alt="Carbon emission reporting becomes mandatory in Ireland for green food industry players" title="Carbon emission reporting becomes mandatory in Ireland for green food industry players" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/593.jpg?itok=yTBUxrZr" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">‘Pathways to Net Zero’ program makes carbon emissions reporting mandatory for Origin Green members </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1929 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1930 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Origin Green, Ireland’s national food and drink sustainability programme managed by <a href="https://www.bordbia.ie/" target="_blank">Bord Bia/Irish Food Board</a>, has published new procedures and guidelines in March 2021 that put carbon emission targets on a mandatory footing for its members.</p> <p><a href="https://www.origingreen.ie/" target="_blank">Origin Green</a> is Ireland’s pioneering food and drink sustainability programme, operating on a national scale, enabling the industry to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that respect the environment and serve local communities more effectively.</p> <p>Over 53,000 farms and 324 leading Irish food and drink companies are collaborating under this programme to put sustainability at the core of their business to meet customers' evolving expectations locally and globally.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1933 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--42-58"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1931 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/594.jpg" width="1018" height="680" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Pathways to Net Zero’ program makes carbon emissions reporting mandatory for Origin Green members in Ireland; Image: pexels</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1932 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>“Our €13 billion food and drink export industry has established a hard-earned, global reputation as a leading producer of high-quality, sustainable food and drink.</p> <p>Maintaining this reputation, which must continue to be evidence-based, is more important than ever in the face of continued global trading volatility.</p> <p>But, not at any cost.</p> <p>We acknowledge that Ireland’s agri-food sector needs to do more and faster.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1934 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Origin Green has, and will, continue to deliver impact by providing a co-ordinated national approach to reducing emissions across the supply chain as a part of the Irish Government’s wider Climate Action response,” said Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO, in regards to the launch of this new programme.</p> <p>This step marks a significant shift and will see member companies go beyond reducing energy-related emissions and focus more on their entire carbon footprint, including value chain and all indirect emissions, such as manufacturing and travel.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1936"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1935 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The new <a href="https://www.origingreen.ie/globalassets/origin-green/og-publications/origin-green---pathways-to-net-zero---guidance-document.pdf" target="_blank">‘Pathway to Net Zero’ document</a> provides guidance for Origin Green members to reduce emissions and ultimately decarbonise their own operations and supply chains.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1937 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>These efforts are made as the sector seeks to accelerate its contribution to the Irish Government's Programme to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.</p> <p>According to Bord Bia, companies' interest has been very high, with close to 300 food and drink companies attending the ‘Pathways to Net Zero’ launch webinar in early March 2021.</p> <p>In order to drive impact at a large scale, carbon emission target first will only be mandatory to members with a turnover greater than €50 million.</p> <p>Companies must conduct baseline assessments this year to determine emissions targets from 2022 onwards. These plans will be reviewed, monitored annually, and independently verified by international specialists Mabbett.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1938 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Speaking about the Pathway to Net Zero, Origin Green Director, Deirdre Ryan said: “Accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon economy by 2050, is required to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change.</p> <blockquote> <p>Business leaders are now shifting their focus from what is achievable to what needs to be done, and there has been increasing interest among Origin Green companies wishing to reduce emissions within their own operations and also along their supply chain.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1939 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>As part of this new development, Bord Bia has prepared comprehensive guidelines for companies to decarbonise their own operations and supply chains.</p> <p>The advice on net-zero target setting and implementation is based on the <a href="https://unfccc.int/climate-action/climate-neutral-now" target="_blank">United Nation’s “Measure, Reduce, Compensate”</a> model, which encourages everyone in society to take action to help achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.</p> <p>The launch of the ‘Pathway to Net Zero’ project builds on several previous initiatives, such as the Origin Green Sustainability Charter.</p> <p>That requires signatories to set and deliver on clear sustainability targets as part of their 5-year sustainability plans with a specific focus on raw material sourcing, manufacturing process and social sustainability.</p> <p>Companies have set over 2,400 sustainability targets to date, reaffirming the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement.</p> <p class="text-align-right"><span style="font-size:10px">Headline image: pixabay from Pexels</span></p> <p class="text-align-right"> </p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">March 2021</div> Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:49:05 +0000 Szilvia Szabó 139 at https://climatejournal.news