Deirdre Ryan
Director of Origin Green, Bord Bia
Since its inception in 2012, the Origin Green programme has established an educated and motived infrastructure of farmers and producers committed to positive change and sustainable production across Ireland.
Currently the programme collaborates with 55,000 farms and over 300 leading Irish food and drink companies to prove and improve the sustainability of the food they produce to meet the evolving needs of customers and consumers globally. It has achieved significant progress over the last nine years and is constantly evolving to offer its members new supports and resources to achieve and expand their sustainability goals.
Protecting biodiversity
In July 2021 Bord Bia announced a new partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre to support companies in identifying and implementing smart biodiversity targets in line with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025. Protecting and enhancing biodiversity has been a key focus of the Origin Green programme since its establishment in 2012. The National Biodiversity Data Centre partnership will support Origin Green companies to develop measurable biodiversity strategies for their own businesses. As part of the partnership, Bord Bia is funding a dedicated Biodiversity Officer at the National Biodiversity Data Centre to provide expertise and guidance on Origin Green member companies’ biodiversity plans.
Biodiversity business plans
The new Biodiversity Officer will provide advice to Bord Bia on initiatives related to pollinator-biodiversity, support members in identifying and implementing pollinator-biodiversity initiatives and develop online resources such as evidence-based guideline documents, information leaflets, presentations and case studies. Companies will also be offered practical and guidance and support through online workshops and webinars. As part of the partnership, there will be a series of online webinars to outline how businesses can assist with the biodiversity crisis and online workshops for Origin Green members to support them in taking the most appropriate evidence-based actions for protecting pollinators and biodiversity.
