Agri-food chiefs to get masterclass in sustainable food growth

Agri-food leaders will gain insights into sustainable food growth from international guests at next week’s Agricultural Science Association conference.

Formally launched yesterday, the conference will be addressed by food policy experts from the US, Brazil, the UK, and Ireland. The ASA’s annual think-tank takes place in Druids Glen, Co Wicklow, on Sep 14.

Executive director of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Mauricio Lopes, is travelling from Brasilia for the conference and will outline Brazil’s focus on increasing agricultural output.

The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation employs more than 2,000 scientists in 38 research centres. Brazilian food output is projected to rise by 40% between 2010 and 2019, compared to 4% in the EU and 10%-15% in the US.

The conference on “The Agenda for Sustainable Food Growth” will also be addressed by Thad Lively from the US Meat Export Federation in Denver.

The US is among the world’s top three beef importers and exporters. Beef exports in 2011 were valued at over €6.5bn, while imports were almost €3bn.

The international panel also includes world food policy expert Bob Young, chief economist with the Washington-based American Farm Bureau, which has almost six million farmer members across the US.

Allan Wilkinson, head of agriculture with HSBC, one of the world’s largest banks, will also speak.

The keynote conference address will be delivered by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney. Other speakers will include: Glanbia group MD John Moloney; Teagasc director Gerry Boyle; Government chief scientific adviser Paddy Cunningham; IFA president John Bryan; Michael Gibney, UCD; Michael Murphy, Bord Bia’s head of markets; John Curtis of ESRI; and international tillage farmer Jim McCarthy.