Bord Bia announces new forum ‘to strengthen farmer voice’

Bord Bia, Ireland's agricultural and food development authority, has announced the establishment of a new Farmer Forum aimed at giving farmers, producers, and growers a stronger voice in the organization's work. The initiative seeks to create structured, two-way engagement with Bord Bia scheme members and foster a shared understanding between the authority and its members by discussing issues impacting farmers and the wider Irish agri-food sector.

The Farmer Forum will focus on areas central to Bord Bia's work, including Quality Assurance (QA) and Origin Green, the audit experience, customer requirements, promotional activity, and consumption trends. Through this two-way feedback mechanism, farmers will also help guide the development of Bord Bia's audit supports and services.

The creation of the Farmer Forum was originally proposed at an agri-food stakeholder meeting convened by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, on February 13. In response, Bord Bia met with a range of farm organizations to consult on how a Farmer Forum "could best serve the needs of members."

Bord Bia Chief Executive Jim O'Toole emphasized the commitment to increasing engagement with farmers to allow for greater farmer participation in decision-making. He stated, "The new Farmer Forum will be open to all QA members, providing a space for open dialogue, fresh insights, and constructive feedback to inform Bord Bia's work and support Irish farmers and the wider sector." O'Toole added that the formation of the forum will begin in the coming weeks.

The forum will comprise around 100 farmers, growers, and producers who will meet a minimum of three times per year. They will be supported by a smaller committee made up of forum members and nominees from farm organizations, who will consolidate feedback and agree on actions arising from each session.

An open call will be issued for farmers, growers, and producers to apply for membership in the Farmer Forum. The initiative is seen as a significant step towards enhancing communication between Bord Bia and its members, ensuring that the needs and concerns of farmers are better addressed in the development of agricultural policies and strategies in Ireland.

This move by Bord Bia is part of a broader effort to strengthen the agri-food sector in Ireland by fostering collaboration and ensuring that farmers have a direct say in shaping the organization's initiatives. The Farmer Forum is expected to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between Bord Bia and its members, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable agricultural practices in the country.

In recent years, Bord Bia has been focusing on enhancing the quality and competitiveness of Irish agricultural products, particularly in the context of the European Green Deal and the need for sustainable farming practices. The establishment of the Farmer Forum is seen as a crucial component of this strategy, as it allows for the incorporation of farmers' perspectives in the development of quality assurance schemes and other initiatives aimed at supporting the agri-food sector.

The Farmer Forum will also provide a platform for farmers to share best practices, discuss emerging trends, and collaborate on solutions to common challenges faced in the agri-food sector. This will not only strengthen the voice of farmers but also promote a culture of innovation and collaboration within the sector.

As Bord Bia begins the process of forming the Farmer Forum, the organization is expected to work closely with farm organizations and stakeholders to ensure a diverse representation of farmers, growers, and producers. The aim is to create an inclusive and representative forum that can effectively engage with Bord Bia and contribute to the development of policies and strategies that support the agri-food sector in Ireland.

In conclusion, the establishment of the Bord Bia Farmer Forum represents a significant step towards enhancing the voice of farmers in Ireland. By fostering structured engagement and two-way communication, the forum is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the organization's work and supporting the agri-food sector's growth and sustainability. This initiative underscores Bord Bia's commitment to collaboration and the importance of incorporating farmers' insights in the development of agricultural policies and strategies.