Bord Bia urges consumer focus
Bord Bia chief executive Michael Duffy made this clear yesterday when Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh announced the "The Food Island Food and Drink Industry Awards".
Bord Bia in association with the Food and Drink Federation of IBEC launched the joint venture awards, which are supported by AIB.
The award categories will promote innovation based on consumer lifestyles, recognising the need for the highest standards in food safety and environmental best practice.
Mr Duffy said food and drink companies compete in the fast-moving sector of the global market place.
They have been very successful in recent times in identifying and winning new business in export markets, which in 2002 was valued at €6.8bn.
IBEC director of sectors Ciaran Fitzgerald said changes were occurring in the cost structure of the industry and pressures were being exerted by developments at WTO and EU level.
The emphasis in the food and drink industry has to be on innovation in order for it to continue to play an important role.
The awards will highlight the significant success stories to date; the constant need for change and demonstrate the importance of the sector to the economy.
AIB head of banking Tom Barry said the bank had been an enthusiastic partner in assisting the development of the agriculture, food and drink sector over the years. It was delighted to be involved in the awards scheme.
There are more than 700 companies in the food and drink industry in Ireland.
They employ 170,000 people and last year they sold products to over 130 countries and reported a turnover of €15 billion.
Each company is eligible to take part in the awards scheme. Bord Bia, IBEC and AIB will circulate entry forms and information to all their client companies. The closing date for entries is April 25.
The award categories are Innovation, Brand Marketing; Trailblazer Exporter Award; Young Food and Drink Entrepreneur, Food Safety/Environmental Best Practice and Small Business.
A high-calibre independent judging panel has been selected to reflect the prestigious nature of these awards, which will be presented at a gala dinner in the Four Seasons hotel, Dublin, on June 20.
The industry has nominated Self Help and Barnardos to benefit from proceeds of the dinner.
