Job opportunities at the Nano Nagle Ecology Centre

By wadminp | Published: 27 March 2012

The Nano Nagle Centre in Mallow, Co Cork are currently seeking to fill two vacancies;

  • Farm Manager
  • Sales and Marketing Officer

Job descriptions and further details available by calling 022 26411 or email enquiries@nanonaglebirthplace.ie

Closing date for both vacanices is Friday April 6th.

 

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Opportunities for the Organic Sector under Green Tenders

By wadminp | Published: 13 March 2012

Earlier this year, following a public consultation on Green Public Procurement, Ireland’s first Green Public Procurement Action Plan (Green Tenders) was jointly launched by the Minister for the Environment and the Minster for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The overall objective of Green Tenders is to assist public authorities to successfully plan and implement green public procurement. There are 8 specific areas prioritised in this plan one of which is Food and Catering Services.

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA stated that “the annual public expenditure on food in Ireland is estimated at €195m.[1] The organic licence scheme offered by IOFGA is highlighted as an accreditation scheme which meets the sustainability criteria outlined under Green Tenders. This offers fantastic opportunities to certified organic producers to supply local and seasonal food to the public catering sector”.

Westbrook went on to cite the successful example of “the pilot project that was run in the Marine Institute using organic salmon, beef, lamb, vegetables, salads and goats cheese, all supplied locally and in season. When using organic ingredients it was noted that there was a significant reduction in waste making it even more sustainable to use organic ingredients. Diners also noted greater flavour and quality in the food served. We will be actively encouraging organic producers and processors, particularly in the meat, seafood, eggs and poultry enterprises to become proactive in supplying public contracts under the Green Tenders initiative” she said.

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For more information please contact;

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA Tel 087 7819967

Grace Maher, Development Officer IOFGA, Tel 087 6125989

 


[1] Irish Foodservice Channel Insights Report, Bord Bia, November 2011

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IOFGA Calls on Teagasc to be held accountable for reckless public spending on GM Trials

By wadminp | Published: 8 March 2012

In light of the fact that Teagasc has lodged an application with the EPA for a licence to grow GM potatoes at its headquarters in Oakpark, IOFGA are demanding that Teagasc be held accountable for their decision to waste taxpayers money on this project.

Grace Maher, Development Officer with IOFGA, stated that “it is economic suicide to be considering growing GM crops in Ireland, especially as Irish agriculture is among the few sectors in growth. This move immediately threatens the export market worth 9.1billion in 2011. Ireland has an excellent reputation internationally as a clean green island that is also a GM free region, and we need to build on this reputation not destroy it”. She went on to add that “In survey after survey European consumers have consistently stated that they do not want GM food. We cannot afford to turn a deaf ear to this in the current economic situation. European consumers want natural food produced in a low input system which is what we have here in Ireland”.

Teagasc continues to pedal this unwanted technology. This current licence application to trial GM potatoes that have blight resistant traits is unnecessary, as there are currently blight resistant potatoes on the market which do not contain GM genes. In this austere economic climate we need to end wasteful public spending immediately and enforce accountability on those who continue to do so.

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For more information please contact;

Grace  Maher, Development Officer IOFGA, Tel 087 6125989

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA, Tel 087 7819967

 

 

 

 

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IOFGA WELCOMES THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPENING OF THE ORGANIC FARMING SCHEME FOR 2012

By wadminp | Published: 8 March 2012

IOFGA are delighted with the announcement of the continuation of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) for 2012. Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA stated “we welcome the announcement of the opening of the OFS, as IOFGA has a lot of farmers who are keen to enter organic farming. We are experiencing continued confidence in the sector and IOFGA are keen to encourage farmers participation into the ultimate sustainable low-input farming system”.

On opening the scheme, Minister McEntee pointed out that proposals presented by the European Commission on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy are very positive in relation to the Organic Sector.   “The proposals presented by the Commission refer to provisions for innovative actions promoting a resource-efficient, productive and low-emission agricultural sector” stated Minister McEntee.  “We must therefore continue to promote organic farming, which is compatible with the protection and improvement of the environment.”

The closing date for new applicants to the OFS is 15th of May.

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For more information please contact:

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA, Tel 087 7819967

Grace Maher, Development Officer, IOFGA, Tel 087 6125989

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