Food companies rise to challenges of 21st century, claims Coveney

Irish food producers have shown great ingenuity in identifying new business opportunities and managing costs in recent years, according to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

Mr Coveney said Irish food companies have brought new approaches to understanding their strengths. They have kept supply chain costs down, and responded well to price volatility in global commodity markets.

“There is an ever increasing recognition of the critical role of research and innovation, when inspired by insight into market and consumer needs, in meeting the big societal challenges of the 21st century,” he said at the Grant Thornton conference, Food 4.0 — The Dynamics of Supply and Demand, in Dublin. “A growing world population, more people living in cities, pressures on natural resources as people seek a better standard of living and higher expectations present particular challenges in the area of food security.

“The supply chain can be complex. Food companies and other stakeholders need to continually assess and review where they can position themselves most effectively and sustainably in relation to food demand and supply. This can include new forms of partnership across and along the food supply chain, social and technological innovation.”

He also cited Bord Bia’s sustainability programme Origin Green as a great positive for the clean, green message which Irish food is seeking to communicate to overseas markets.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety Professionals’ Association is to host a national education conference on food allergens and contaminants in the overall context of food safety at The Chapel in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, on Nov 2. The half-day conference, which is free, will discuss food allergies and intolerances and the many and serious resulting health problems.

* www.fspa.ie