The Conference, once again sponsored by FBD insurance, attracts 400 people each year from across the country. This annual event has become one of the highlights of the year for those working in the Irish agricultural and food sector. The theme for this year’s conference focuses on Keeping Science to the forefront of Sustainability and is divided into three sessions
The first session will address Science and Agricultural Sustainability from the perspective of European and international agriculture. The plenary presentation will be delivered by Teagasc director, Professor Frank O’Mara with responses to his presentation from Professor John Roche, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Minister from Primary Industries, New Zealand and a representative of the USDA. The session will be chaired by RTE’s Damien O’Reilly.
Session two will address the topic of teaching, communicating and marketing Science and Agricultural Sustainability. Justin McCarthy, Editor, Irish Farmers’ Journal will facilitate a panel discussion on the topic with panellists Professor Frank Monahan, Head of the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dr. Siobhan Kavanagh, Communications and Engagement Specialist, SignPost Farms Programme, Teagasc and Mr. John Murray, Director of Meat, Food and Beverage, Bord Bia.
The last session will feature a panel discussion of industry facing agri-professionals and farmers and their engagement with Science and Agricultural Sustainability. The session will feature a panel discussion on the topic with panellists Thomas Ryan, Senior Sustainability Manager, Glanbia, Oliver Tierney, Brandon Bioscience, Dr. Siobhan Walsh, Farm Sustainability Specialist, Irish Farmers’ Journal, Fergal Morris, General Manager, MSD Animal Health Ireland and John Egerton, an environmentally aware dry stock farmer from Northern Ireland.
The ASA Banquet, a key event of the agri-calendar will take place at the Lyrath Hotel in the evening immediately after this year’s conference.
