Leading food company Pilgrim’s Europe recently welcomed key industry representatives to a panel discussion bringing together voices from across Northern Ireland’s farming, business and sustainability sectors to discuss the future opportunities and challenges facing the local agri-food industry.
Held at this year’s Balmoral Show, the event marked part of the company’s wider celebrations of 80 years of investment and partnership with Northern Ireland farming communities.
Hosted by Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of NI Chamber, the panel featured discussions from Justin Coleman, Poultry Business Unit Director at Pilgrim’s Europe; Nick Whelan, CEO, Dale Farm Group; and Ian Marshall OBE from the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), Queen’s University Belfast. With a keen focus on the importance of policy development, it also explored key topics of sustainability, food security, rural resilience, investment potential and the importance of creating the right conditions to support the long-term growth of the sector.
Speaking at the event, Justin Coleman from Pilgrim’s Europe said:
“The Balmoral Show continues to provide an important opportunity to bring together key industry leaders and partners to discuss the future of agri-food in Northern Ireland. As we move forward, strong collaboration across policy development, business and academia will be essential to ensuring the sector continues to innovate, grow and support rural communities in the years ahead and as a business, we’re proud to play our part in this.”