Leading agri-industry conference explores the role of science in driving innovation and addressing challenges within the sector

European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness receives ‘Distinguished Member’ Award for her impact on the Irish agri-food sector in the course of her career

@ASAIreland #ASA21

Friday 10th September 2021: The 79th annual Agricultural Science Association (ASA) conference was live-streamed from the Killashee Hotel in Naas today. This year’s event, sponsored by FBD Insurance, was officially opened by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue and featured a keynote address from US Secretary for Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

Attendees heard from a host of global agri-food experts about the challenges facing the sector which included a major focus on how the industry must address, respond to and mitigate against the impact of climate change.

Opening the conference, Minister McConalogue said, “We have some of the best and brightest talent in our agricultural science sector who are playing a crucial role in one of the most pivotal and transformative times for Irish agriculture. There are undoubted challenges but with challenge comes tremendous opportunity. The key to unlocking these challenges and unleashing our potential is through the agricultural science sector which works hand-in-hand with our pioneering farmers to produce world-class, safe and sustainable food. I am confident that our sector is in safe hands given the depth and breath of talent in the area."

Speaking about the award, Dr. Anne Marie Butler, ASA President said “Mairead was the first female graduate of University College Dublin's Bachelor of Agri-Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1980 and went on to carve a significant career in agri-journalism which saw her present RTE’s Ear to the Ground before taking on roles as a journalist with the Irish Farmers Journal and editor of the Farming Independent. Throughout her political career she has been a huge advocate for rural Ireland and the Irish agri-food sector and she is incredibly deserving of this award.” She has also had a distinguished career in politics and is Ireland’s longest serving MEP.

ASA FBD Fellowship

The event also provided the platform to announce the prestigious ASA FBD Fellowship Award. The inaugural recipient of this award was revealed as Professor Laurence Shalloo, a Senior Principle Research Officer with Teagasc, at the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark.

The annual programme which launched last year aims to contribute positively to scientific innovation within the Irish agri-food industry while developing Ireland’s next agri-industry thought leader. The €10,000 Fellowship award will be used by Laurence to further develop scientific knowledge in his chosen topic which will focus on “Strategies to achieve Climate Neutrality in Agriculture and the land use sector”.

Robust Debate
The conference featured three moderated sessions where speakers shared insights, offered recommendations and engaged in robust debate about the potential solutions to the challenges currently faced by the industry. Speakers included:  Dr. Harry Clark, Director of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre ; Dr Alison Van Eenennaam, Animal Genomics and Biotechnology Specialist, University of California, Davis; Michael Scannell, Deputy Director General for Agriculture and Rural Development, EU Commission; Professor Frank O’Mara, Director Designate, Teagasc; Bill Callanan, Chief Inspector, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Ger Cleary, Glenisk, Matt Foley, Kilbush Nurseries and Nick Cotter, Cotter Agritech.

The full conference will be available to watch back later today on www.asaireland.ie