Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of the content regarding Irish agriculture?
What is the primary focus of the content regarding Irish agriculture?
Which tool is mentioned that assists farmers in implementing practical measures on the farm?
Which tool is mentioned that assists farmers in implementing practical measures on the farm?
What aspect of dairy farming does the content highlight as having low environmental impact?
What aspect of dairy farming does the content highlight as having low environmental impact?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a practical measure in the Carbon Navigator tool?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a practical measure in the Carbon Navigator tool?
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What is the significance of greenhouse gas emission data for EU member states in the context provided?
What is the significance of greenhouse gas emission data for EU member states in the context provided?
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What factor is included in the six key measures for improving farm practices?
What factor is included in the six key measures for improving farm practices?
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Which greenhouse gas emission is quantified in kg CO2-equivalent per kg of milk?
Which greenhouse gas emission is quantified in kg CO2-equivalent per kg of milk?
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Regarding dairy farming practices, which measure focuses on animal growth?
Regarding dairy farming practices, which measure focuses on animal growth?
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What is the main goal of manure management in the context of Irish food and horticulture?
What is the main goal of manure management in the context of Irish food and horticulture?
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Which of the following represents services provided under the Farm Quality & Sustainability Audits?
Which of the following represents services provided under the Farm Quality & Sustainability Audits?
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How can an extended grazing season benefit farmers financially?
How can an extended grazing season benefit farmers financially?
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What has been the significant outcome of sustainability assessments conducted on farms?
What has been the significant outcome of sustainability assessments conducted on farms?
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Which ecological practice is encouraged under the environmental schemes?
Which ecological practice is encouraged under the environmental schemes?
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What does the Sustainability Charter emphasize for companies?
What does the Sustainability Charter emphasize for companies?
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What percentage of beef exports is covered under the Farm Quality & Sustainability Audits?
What percentage of beef exports is covered under the Farm Quality & Sustainability Audits?
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What environmental benefit does a 10-day increase in the grazing season provide?
What environmental benefit does a 10-day increase in the grazing season provide?
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How many companies are registered under Origin Green?
How many companies are registered under Origin Green?
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What do the sustainability models that were rolled out in 2017 aim to assess?
What do the sustainability models that were rolled out in 2017 aim to assess?
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What is the significance of independent verification in sustainability initiatives?
What is the significance of independent verification in sustainability initiatives?
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What is one of the social sustainability components companies must focus on according to the provided information?
What is one of the social sustainability components companies must focus on according to the provided information?
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What contributes to the success of the Origin Green initiative?
What contributes to the success of the Origin Green initiative?
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What characterizes the supply chain approach in Ireland's National Sustainability Programme?
What characterizes the supply chain approach in Ireland's National Sustainability Programme?
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Which of the following is a key component of the sustainability agenda in Ireland?
Which of the following is a key component of the sustainability agenda in Ireland?
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Which food enterprises are primarily highlighted in Irish agriculture?
Which food enterprises are primarily highlighted in Irish agriculture?
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What percentage of farmland in Ireland is allocated to grassland?
What percentage of farmland in Ireland is allocated to grassland?
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What is the average annual rainfall in Ireland?
What is the average annual rainfall in Ireland?
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What aspect of Ireland contributes to its favorable water stress index?
What aspect of Ireland contributes to its favorable water stress index?
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Which of the following describes Ireland's grass advantage compared to Europe?
Which of the following describes Ireland's grass advantage compared to Europe?
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What is the average size of a farm in Ireland?
What is the average size of a farm in Ireland?
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Which factor does NOT contribute to the success of Ireland’s National Sustainability Programme?
Which factor does NOT contribute to the success of Ireland’s National Sustainability Programme?
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What is the primary goal of Origin Green?
What is the primary goal of Origin Green?
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What quality factor distinguishes Irish air quality?
What quality factor distinguishes Irish air quality?
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Which of the following statements about Irish agriculture's natural conditions is true?
Which of the following statements about Irish agriculture's natural conditions is true?
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In the context of Ireland's sustainability strategies, what does 'performance based on science' imply?
In the context of Ireland's sustainability strategies, what does 'performance based on science' imply?
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What percentage of grassland does Ireland have compared to the total farmland in Europe?
What percentage of grassland does Ireland have compared to the total farmland in Europe?
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Study Notes
Ireland's National Sustainability Programme
- Ireland's national sustainability program, Origin Green, aims to improve the sustainability of Irish food and horticulture
- Perceptions of Ireland are often linked to being green and natural, but proving this and improving it are needed
- Origin Green unites government, private sector, and food producers in a sustainability program.
- Collects data and figures from various sources to support sustainability initiatives.
- Supports business-to-business initiatives to improve customer targets.
- Focuses on building relationships
- A full supply chain program, including farmers participating in quality and sustainability schemes, companies signing up to a sustainability charter, and retailers/distributor participation in pilot sustainability charters.
- Success relies on all supply chain levels supporting sustainability, crucial measures, verification, and best practices based on science and innovation
Conditions for Success
- All levels of the supply chain need to adopt the sustainability agenda.
- Need to accurately measure relevant factors affecting sustainability
- Independent verification is essential to gain credibility (using organizations like SGS)
- Measures, verification, and practices need to be evidence-based
- Performance needs to be based on science and innovation, along with best practices
Ireland's Natural Attributes
- Water availability: Ireland has a very favourable water stress index, with agriculture using 70% of the world's freshwater.
- Air quality: Ireland has very high air quality, significantly better than many other countries.
- Low Greenhouse gas emissions: Ireland has a low level of greenhouse gas emissions in the dairy sector.
Irish Agriculture
- Mild temperate climate
- High average annual rainfall (greater than 1000mm)
- 4.3 million hectares of farmland, 80% is grassland
- Primary agricultural enterprises are beef and dairy
- Average farm size is 32 hectares
Ireland's Grass Advantage
- Ireland has 80% of its land as grassland, while Europe only has 40%
- Irish grassland production is 15 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, while Europe averages 11 tonnes per hectare
Farm Quality & Sustainability Audits
- 90% of beef exports and 100% of milk production are audited and carbon-footprinted respectively
- Over 120,000 carbon assessments are being implemented on farms
Environmental Scheme Participation
- Environmental participation and tree planting are key aspects of Ireland's sustainability efforts
- Habitats, biodiversity areas, and hedgerow management are promoted
Carbon Navigator Tool
- A tool to assess practical measures on farms to improve efficiency for carbon emissions
- Includes topics like grazing season length, calving interval, age at first calving, efficiency measures, daily live weight gain and manure management
Feedback to Farmers
- Provides practical steps farmers can take to improve their carbon footprint and boost profitability
- Information provided to help farmers compare their farms with similar farms.
- The goal is to help farmers boost financial performance by €2,000 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5%.
Origin Green - Company Recruitment Pipeline
- There are over 500 companies registered in the Origin Green verified members program.
- 95% of total food and drink exports are from participants
- 157 companies are involved in the plan and process development.
- Over 200 companies have plans accepted
Sustainability Charter
- Companies have a plan to cover at least 3 years to determine sustainability targets and timelines.
- Assess and decide on environmental target areas, setting timelines and targets.
- Includes independent verification by SGS
- Agreed baseline period, independent verification and annual progress report are key elements in the charter
Sustainability Assessments
- Sustainability models have been rolled out for poultry, pigs, sheep, grain, and horticulture in 2017
Data & Driving Performance
- Origin Green uses data to improve farm's sustainability and financial performance
- Sustainable operations are linked to improvements in efficiency
Extended Grazing Season
- Increasing grazing season length by 10 days reduces costs by €25 per cow and reduces carbon footprint by 1.7%.
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Description
Explore Ireland's Origin Green initiative aimed at enhancing the sustainability of its food and horticulture sectors. This program brings together government, private sector, and food producers to collect vital data and implement best practices. Discover the crucial role of collaboration across the supply chain in achieving sustainability goals.
