Farm to Finance: The Processor–Farmer Nexus in Ireland's Agricultural Climate Transition

Join the IIEA for the launch of its second Pathways Paper, where Matt O’Neill, Climate Project Lead, will present the key themes from Farm to Finance: The Processor–Farmer Nexus in Ireland’s Agricultural Climate Transition. The paper explores the relationship between farmers and food processors in relation to the climate transition within Agriculture. It draws on interviews with stakeholders and sectoral data to analyse the financial and regulatory considerations, and trust-based barriers to transition within the agriculture sector. It draws upon interviews with stakeholders and sectoral data to analyse the financial and regulatory considerations to transition within the wider supply chain. Following the short presentation, a panel will offer their responses and reflections to the paper’s key themes.

This panel will include:

Ailbhe Gerrard, representing TalamhBeo and founder of Brookfield Farm
Dale Crammond, Director of Meat Industry Ireland - Ibec
Alan Matthews (Panel Chair), Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at Trinity College Dublin
Matthew O'Neill, IIEA Climate Project Lead
Tadhg Buckley, Director of Policy/Chief Economist at Irish Farmers Association
Frances McDonnell, Deputy News Editor with Agriland

Speaker bios:

From a farming background, Tadhg Buckley is currently Director of Policy/Chief Economist with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Ireland’s largest farming organisation. Prior to joining the IFA, Tadhg worked in the finance industry as Head of Agriculture with AIB Bank. He holds a Degree in Agricultural Science from University College Dublin as well as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Limerick. Tadhg is a 2009 Nuffield Scholar - his study examined the role of dairy futures markets & other price risk management mechanisms in the EU Dairy Industry. Tadhg also sits on the board of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and is a Qualified Financial Advisor. Tadhg continues to be actively involved in dairy farming on his home farm in North Cork.

Dale Crammond in January 2023 after a 22-year career in Government he took up the role as Director of Meat Industry Ireland. Previously, he spent four years in the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C. (2015-2019) where he worked to increase market access opportunities for Irish food and drink exports to the United States. During his time with the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine, he has worked on the issue of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. He was centrally involved in the development of the agriculture chapter of the National Climate Action Plan.

Alan Matthews is Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at the University of Dublin Trinity College, Ireland, and a former President of the European Association of Agricultural Economists. His research interests include the behaviour of the Irish farm and food system, the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, the relationships between trade and food security, and WTO trade norms and disciplines.

Matthew O'Neill is Climate Project Lead at the IIEA, in which role he leads the Pathways: Ireland’s Agricultural Future project. His research focuses on the intersection of climate policy and agricultural systems.

Francess McDonnell is an award-winning journalist and producer. Currently Deputy News Editor with Agriland, she is also a former business editor and correspondent with the Sunday Times Ireland and the Irish Times and has previously worked with Sky News and BBC NI. She grew up on her family’s farm in Co. Tyrone, surrounded chiefly by dairy and beef farmers and remains passionately interested and invested in all things farming and agri-related. In her role with Agriland she regularly reports on the key issues that impact on farm families and rural communities throughout Ireland from prices to politics, climate challenges to changing landscapes, from policies to red tape - and on the people making the decisions that impact on their daily lives.

Ailbhe Gerrard, founder of Brookfield Farm, is a farmer, beekeeper, researcher, and agricultural educator with deep interest in agriculture, creativity and regeneration. Having studied sustainable development and organic farming in the UK, she made her return home to Ireland and for fifteen years, has developed skills, cultivated new ideas, and fostered collaborations with skilled agriculturalists and the interested public from her base on the farm. https://www.brookfield.farm/