How Does Origin Green Work?

Explore the Origin Green Programmes for Farmers and Growers, Manufacturers and Retail and Foodservice

Origin Green for Farmers and Growers

On-farm assessments constitute a key component of the Origin Green programme. Sustainability assessments are rolled out at farm level through Bord Bia’s Sustainability Assurance Schemes. At farm level, there are over 77,000 members of Bord Bia’s Sustainable Assurance Schemes for beef and lamb farmers (92% of beef produced), dairy farmers (95% of milk produced), horticulture (70% of horticulture) and egg (95% of eggs), which are aligned to Origin Green. Sustainability assurance schemes are also being developed for poultry and pigs.

Throughout the country, over 100 independent auditors, working on behalf of Bord Bia, undertake 700 weekly engagements on farm as part of these programmes. In addition to quality, the sustainability criteria measured and monitored are greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, water use, energy efficiency, soil management and socio-economic factors. Origin Green offers practical guidance and advice to inform farmers on how to become more sustainable, primarily through the Farmer Feedback Report implemented in 2019.

Bord Bia auditors gather data during the audit process through the Sustainability Survey that enables Bord Bia to assess the environmental performance of quality assured farms via a carbon footprint calculation. The data gathered is now being used to generate a new farmer feedback report which includes a summary of farm performance under the following headings: General Farm Performance, Carbon Footprint, Greenhouse Gases, Nutrient Management, Grassland Management and Farm Health and Safety. The reported data will compare current farm performance against changes since the last audit and similar production systems. The new farmer feedback report is designed to demonstrate to members how their farm inputs and activities contribute to GHG production and contains advice and feedback on how to mitigate against emissions and improve production efficiencies. Reassessments take place every 18 months allowing.

Bord Bia is currently working on a Farm Sustainability Programme (FSP) which is an ambitious programme that aims to facilitate a national, unified approach to sustainability improvement on Irish farms.

Find out more about how you can become quality assured.

For Food Businesses

Origin Green empowers food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice companies to respond to the changing sustainability expectations of global consumer markets. Today, more than 350 food and drink companies across Ireland are verified members of Origin Green. To date, member companies have established more than 4,800 sustainability targets, demonstrating a clear and measurable commitment to reducing their environmental impact and improving overall business sustainability. In 2016, the programme expanded to formally include retail and foodservice businesses. More than 10 of Ireland’s largest retail and foodservice companies are now verified members. Member companies develop comprehensive five-year sustainability plans, which are reviewed annually. As part of these plans, retail and foodservice members alone have set 579 sustainability targets. All members commit to a mandatory range of focus areas outlined within the relevant Origin Green Charters (Manufacturing or Retail and Foodservice). These priority areas form the foundation of each company’s five-year plan. Progress is rigorously monitored through annual reviews and independent verification by international specialists Arthian. Each member must submit an annual progress report detailing performance against established targets. Verification involves both on-site and desktop audits to ensure transparency, accountability and measurable progress. Membership is reserved for companies that not only set meaningful sustainability targets but also demonstrate ongoing progress in achieving them.

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Origin Green is...

For Farmers and Growers For Food Businesses

Origin Green works in partnership with over 61,000 farmers and more than 350 leading Irish food and drink companies to both demonstrate and continuously enhance the sustainability of the food they produce, meeting the evolving expectations of global customers and consumers. Becoming an Origin Green member equips your organisation with the tools, frameworks and support needed to produce food and drink sustainably — today and into the future.
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