CONFERENCE 2023
THE SCIENCE OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
2023 Conference Theme & Session Overview
The theme for this year’s Conference is 'The Science of Sustainable Food Systems' and will focus on the solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our industry.
A range of issues continue to challenge our industry including environmental, economic and geopolitical challenges but as an industry we are also developing solutions to these challenges. We look forward to hosting leading figures from the Irish and international agricultural industry to share their insights and solutions for the sector.
The expert contribution of our panelists will provide you with valuable insight into how individually and collectively we can successfully navigate those challenges.
As valued ASA members, I thank you for your continued support of our Association and look forward to welcoming you to our 2023 Conference.
Plenary Session.
Mr Jack Bobo Director of University of Nottingham Food Systems Institute and CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company will share his unique insights in the development of a global food system, that is sustainable and delivers the nutritional needs of a growing global population in our plenary session. Jack’s wide ranging international experience will give the attendees a informative, challenging and novel perspective on the requirements and trade-offs within such a system.
Session 1.
Defining and addressing the challenge. In this session we will hear from industry leaders as to the scale of the challenge facing the industry but also the developments taking place in terms of education, innovation and integration of initiatives to support sustainability across the industry. Prof Dolores O’Riordan, Tara McCarthy and Jim Bergin make up this expert panel of industry leaders, under the guidance of session chair Damien O’Reilly.
Session 2.
Connecting the consumer and producer: the role of the processing sector. The processor serves as the link between the customer/consumer and the primary producer and fulfils an important function of translating and balancing the customer requirements with the actions of the primary producer while meeting the needs of both groups. Dr Jeroen DIjkman, Head of Nestle Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Margaret Berry, Kepak Group, Head of Sustainability will share their respective companies experiences and approaches with Bill Callanan, Chief Inspector at Dept Agriculture, Food and Marine chairing this session.
Session 3.
Action at farm level to deliver a sustainable future food system. The final session of the conference will focus on the farmer. We will hear from dairy farmer Gillian O’Sullivan, Dr. Stan Lalor Director of Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc and Barry Larkin CEO of Acorn around the initiatives available to farmers, the communication of these initiatives and the requirements for consistent, and clear messaging in order to facilitate practice change at farm level. Never have fares been faced with more challenges than today and farmers must be confident in their direction of travel to address these. Newly appointed CEO of the Agricultural Trust Dr. William Minchin will chair this session.
The ASA would like to thank our Conference partner, FBD Insurance, our Banquet Sponsor Bord Bia and our main session sponsors, Tirlán, MSD and Alltech and our many other sponsors, without whom it would not be possible to organise this event.
Conference Partner
We would like to thank our Conference Partner, FBD Insurance, and our many other sponsors, without whom it would not be possible to organise this event as well as our Banquet Sponsor, Bord Bia and our main session sponsors, Tirlán, MSD and Alltech.
