The new Origin Green initiative from Bord Bia is good news for the Food and Drink sector. The initiative is set to make Ireland a world leader in sustainable food production and has the aim of making 75% of food and drink exports from Origin Green members by 2014 and 100% of exports by the end of 2016.
This move by Bord Bia is timely as concerns about world water supply for agriculture are causing policy makers to wonder how the growing world population is to be fed. World water week which is currently under way seeks to bring this issue to the forefront.
Given the water issue, sustainability in food production is essential and thus the Bord Bia initiative is important. Whilst currently there appears to be no shortage of water in Ireland, this is not the case elsewhere in the world and responsible food buyers will increasingly look for producers who can demonstrate sustainability.