FDBusiness.com

Innovation and the use of new technologies in the agri-food sector are key themes of the Institute of International and European Affairs’ (IIEA) conference ‘A Flavour of the Future’, which takes place on Tuesday 5 July 2011 at the RDS, Dublin 4. IIEA Director General, Daithi O’Ceallaigh, says that the conference would provide the opportunity to “see what other countries and companies are doing and how our own industry can improve into the future.”

The conference will bring together many of the leading stakeholders in the Irish and international agri-food sectors to discuss how the Irish industry can respond to the challenges of the changing global environment, and capitalise on the huge opportunities that exist in emerging markets. Other key issues that will be discussed on the day include CAP reform, research and innovation, and consumer and lifestyle trends.

The conference, which is supported by the RDS and is sponsored by Bord Bia (Irish Food Board), Bank of Ireland and the Irish Farmers Journal, will be opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Marine & Food, Simon Coveney TD (pictured above). Minister Coveney notes that the conference’s focus on innovation and value-added is fitting at this stage of the Irish agri-food sector’s development, adding that Ireland has an opportunity to carve a niche for itself as a producer of quality food that consumers are willing to spend more money on.

The programme blends the expertise of the Irish agri-food sector with case studies of international best practice. In the first session, Denis Brosnan will chair a discussion on ‘Global and European Trends – a Vision for Irish Agri-food’ with contributions from Minister Coveney, Lars Hoelgaard, Special Adviser on agriculture at the European Commission, and Kevin Lane, CEO of the Irish Dairy Board.

The second session will focus on innovation with a view to exploring how the application of science and technology in new ways can transform the Irish agri-food industry. Three case studies will be presented by Tom Mulqueen, Vice President, Nutrition Operating Unit, Pfizer; Veijo Merilainen, former Executive Vice President, International Operations and Innovations, Valio; and John Moloney, Managing Director, Glanbia. Jens Bleiel of Food for Health Ireland will also address the session on public-private innovation in Irish agri-food.

Lifestyles and consumer trends, rebranding the Irish agri-food sector and financing the necessary investments in this important indigenous industry will be addressed in the afternoon session, with contributions from Aidan Cotter, CEO of Bord Bia, Josh Hunt of The Futures Company and Mark Cunningham, Director of Business Banking, Bank of Ireland Group.

The IIEA is Ireland’s leading think tank on European and International affairs and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with charitable status. Its extensive research programme aims to provide its members with high-level analysis and forecasts of the challenges on the global and EU policy agendas which impact on Ireland. It acts as a catalyst for new thinking, new solutions and policy options, which give its members from the private and public sector a significant competitive advantage.

The IIEA provides a unique forum in Ireland for corporate networking. It annually hosts over 100 events, which afford its members unparalleled access to the highest-level speakers, decision-makers, and thought-leaders at national, EU and global level. High-level speakers at IIEA events have included Ban Ki-moon, Mikhail Gorbachev, Herman Van Rompuy, and Jean Claude Trichet. This conference is open to all those involved in the agri-food industry, including farmers, producers, export agencies, policymakers, industry figures and people involved in research.

Tickets for the conference are available at www.iiea.com at an early-bird price of €150 until June 30 (full price €195.) Delegates can also register by phone on 01-874 6756 or e-mail agricultureconference@iiea.com.