merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today addressed the Bord Bia "Pathways for Growth Food and Drink Leadership Summit" in the Smurfit School of Business, UCD.

Plans were announced for a comprehensive national sustainability development programme to more than 120 food and drink industry leaders today during the summit.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney opened the summit this morning, and Taoiseach Enda Kenny made the closing address.

Speaking at the summit, the Taoiseach said:

Origin Green, the initiative that brings us here today,  is a world first.

A sustainability-development programme for the Irish food and drink industry.

Quite clearly, food and drink of Irish origin has a premium quality, a premium feel for the consumer;  Making its way into aisles, hearts and shopping trolleys across Europe and around the world.

Even world leaders have spoken positively to me about the quality and recognition of Irish food and drink. Irish products clearly have a major brand recognition advantage. As we continue the work of expanding the food industry at home we must do more to press our existing advantages in this market.

The Origin Green programme is key to the next phase of our sustainable growth.

Following the Leadership Summit, Bord Bia will host its first ever Food and Drink Industry Seminar which will take place during the afternoon of Thursday 21st and all day Friday 22nd June. More than 100 guests will participate in an event modelled on the Harvard Agribusiness Seminar, which will explore, discuss and debate global food company case studies and themes such as change management, sustainability, management of market shifts and product differentiation.

Read the Taoiseach's full speech here.

Listen to the Taoiseach's doorstep from the summit below...