Food Harvest 2020- Threats and Opportunities of Agricultural Expansion

All-Ireland State Veterinarian’s Scientific Conference, 5th & 6th April, 2013

Veterinarians employed by the State have a very broad array of responsibilities, ranging from animal health and welfare; to disease control, food safety, public health and consumer protection. The potential human health as well as economic, social and environmental consequences of animal diseases are under the spotlight at the 2013 All-Ireland State Veterinarian’s Scientific Conference, taking place in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin,on 5th6th April, 2013.

The plenary session on the afternoon of 5th April will explore “Food Harvest 2020 – The Threats and Opportunities of Agricultural Expansion”. Leading experts will review the potential impact of animal diseases and the efficiencies, innovations and policy requirements needed to expand and grow in line with the targets of Food Sector 2020. The session will be chaired by Andrew Doyle T.D., Chair of the Agricultural Committee, Dáil Eireann.

“It is estimated that 60% of human pathogens are of animal origin while 75% of emerging animal diseases can be transmitted to humans,” says Dr. Alex Morrow, Deputy Science Coordinator in Animal Health and Welfare, DEFRA, who will be speaking at this session.

“Improved awareness of and preparedness for the animal disease threats are needed for their effective management. What is important is not predicting what will happen, but being more prepared to engage with whatever may happen.”

Dr Morrow will provide global disease and animal health insights in the context of intensification of production as well as unanticipated and emerging threats. His work includes co-ordination of a global research initiative about major infectious diseases of animals and zoonoses. He has been involved in significant research programmes around the creation of sustainable collaborative structures to ensure that the necessary research capacity is available to address future animal health challenges.

Joining this discussion will be Professor Patrick Wall, Associate Professor of Public Health in University College Dublin'sSchool of Public Health and Population Sciences, whose teaching and research interests include food borne diseases, lifestyle related diseases and health damaging consumer behaviour. The first Chief Executive of the Irish Food Safety Authority and second Chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority, he was recently appointed Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland.

Ambitious Beef & Dairy Targets

The Food Harvest 2020 plan sets out an optimistic 40% growth target for the beef sector. Kevin Kinsella, Director of Livestock, IFA, will outline how securing the right policy framework and implementing positive change across the sector at farm, processing, marketing and regulatory level will be vital to delivering beef growth targets.

“Quality livestock, an abundance of grass, committed farmers, a well-developed processing sector and an enviable customer client list all combine to place Ireland in a strong position to expand and grow the beef sector,” says Mr. Kinsella.

John Enright, General Secretary of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, will explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving growth targets within the dairy sector given the significant expansion of milk production expected with the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.

Opportunities For Collaboration & Legal Initiatives

Dr. Barbara Logar, Directorate General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission (Animal Health Unit), will explain how the new single Animal Health Law aims to further reduce animal diseases while enabling the growth of the E.U.’s economic competitiveness.

Harry Sinclair, President of the Ulster Farmers Union and also a suckler beef and sheep producer from Draperstown, in the foothills of the Sperrin mountains, will be speaking about “Northern Ireland – Ramping up Food Production”.

In his presentation Mr Sinclair will make the case that when the industry expands, it is vital that the quality standard of the product remains. He believes that expansion will require maximising efficiency and that one of the ways to achieve this will be throughthe eradication and control of production diseases.

Also joining this session will be Adam Buitelaar, Managing Director of Buitelaar International which is an Irish-based company finishing up to 400 cattle each week in mainland Britain. His company has a strong European presence which includes Ireland, the Netherlands, UK, Spain, Italy, France and more recently Baltic States. Mr Buitelaar will be presenting an overview of the global opportunities associated with live exports.

The All-Ireland State Veterinarian’s Scientific Conference, will feature morning sessions on 5th April on “Veterinary Public Health” and “Animal Health and Welfare.” “State Medicine – From Cattle to Dogs” runs on the morning of Saturday 6th April, 2013.

This is the second annual conference organised by state veterinarians North and South of the border, who share interests in protecting consumer health, food safety and animal welfare on the island of Ireland.
This year’s conference is a collaboration between the Veterinary Officer’s Association (VOA), the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance Veterinary Branch (NIPSA) and the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS). It is a networked collaboration organised with support from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; The Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (NI); TheDepartment of Agriculture, Food & The Marine; and Safefood.
ENDS
Media enquiries/for further information, please contact:
Progress Communications Tel: +353-(0)-1-2766117 e mail