Alltech Ireland Environmental Forum explores a more sustainable future for Irish agriculture with global experts

[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, and by embracing innovation and improving farm management, our agriculture sector can lead the way in enhancing agri-food sustainability. The Alltech Ireland Environmental Forum was held yesterday as a virtual gathering of international and domestic thought leaders to discuss carbon and climate challenges and inform and equip Ireland’s dairy industry to move forward to achieve its sustainability goals and Ireland’s 2030 targets.

“Never before have we needed to come together as an industry to solve the environmental challenges we face, and is not up to one organisation to solve this issue,” said Cathal McCormack, country manager at Alltech Ireland. “We need to collaborate with the industry by working together with farmers, industry bodies, dairy processors and the government. Action is what will make it happen, we need to make a start.”

Global industry experts joined the virtual event to explain how industry stakeholders can lead the way in enhancing both agri-food and national sustainability. The speakers and discussion topics included:

• Timothy P. Robinson, senior livestock policy officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization with the United Nations, was the opening plenary session speaker with his presentation, “Raising ambitions on climate action in dairy systems.”
• Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis, California, presented on “Key actions to reduce livestock’s contribution to climate change.”
• Emma Swan, InTouch Feeding Specialist, Alltech Ireland and Dr. Stephen Ross, Alltech E-CO2, shared their thoughts about “Alltech’s Vision for a Sustainable Irish Dairy Industry.”   
• Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, provided closing remarks to the morning session.
• The afternoon session consisted of a panel discussion, “Digging deeper on sustainability: What needs to happen?”, with industry experts:
  • Thomas Hubert, The Currency
  • Matthew Smith, vice president, Alltech  
  • Prof. Frank O’Mara, director of research, Teagasc
  • Dr. Elizabeth Magowan, director of sustainable agri-food sciences division, AFBI
  • Tom Arnold, chair of the Irish 2030 Agri-Food Strategy Committee

To view the recording and for more information about the event, speakers and topics, visit https://go.alltech.com/ireland/environmental-forum.