Press release
Launch of Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2021
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State, Martin Heydon TD with responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; together with Minister of State, Ossian Smyth TD with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications today launched ‘Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2021’, which is taking place between October 18th to 22nd.
This annual event is the largest yet with over 30 events scheduled and builds on successful weeks in 2019/20. Bioeconomy Ireland Week will place a spotlight on Ireland’s bioeconomy through a series of online events and activities suited towards citizens, farmers, industry professionals and policymakers who make up the Irish Bioeconomy Network. The week’s events will showcase the positive contribution Irelands Bioeconomy makes to our agri-food sector and society.
Minister Heydon said:
“Our world is seeking to develop sustainable systems for food, energy and production and consumption that provide a fair and prosperous future for all. In response, part of the Irish Government’s vision for Climate Action is to grow Ireland’s ambition to be a global leader for the Bioeconomy. This will be achieved through a co-ordinated approach that harnesses Ireland’s natural resources and competitive advantage. Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2021 is a pivotal activity to raise awareness particularly for primary producers about the bioeconomy. It is also offering a chance to build networks for future collaborations to meet economic, environmental, and societal needs in ways that are natural, circular, and sustainable.”
The weeklong series of events is coordinated Irish Bioeconomy Network including Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Communications, BiOrbic SFI Bioeconomy Research Centre, Irish Bioeconomy Foundation, Teagasc, Bord Bia, Marine Institute, Udaras na Gaeltachta, IrBEA, Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West, ShannonABC, Irish Rural Link, CircBio Research Group, Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South West and The Green Institute.
Event topics range from biodiversity, food, marine and zero carbon agriculture:
• Education, Training and Skills in the Bioeconomy
• Building A New Biobased Value Chain - Lab to Market
• Food Waste: A Circular & Sustainable Food Systems in Ireland
• Plastic Bioremediation
• Policy Levers in the Bioeconomy
• Bioeconomy - The Blue Perspective
• Masterclass in Innovation with Mark Pollock
Please visit the Bioeconomy Ireland Week website www.irishbioeconomy.ie and the National Bioeconomy Summit website www.bioeconomy.ie for more information and to sign up to events.
Notes for Editors:
Description of the Bioeconomy
The bioeconomy is the part of the economy which preserves nature and uses renewable biological resources from agriculture, forestry, marine and the organic waste system to produce food, feed, biobased materials, chemicals and energy, while reducing waste, in support of achieving a sustainable, circular and climate neutral society.
Policy
The National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy was published by the Department of the Taoiseach in 2018 - gov.ie - National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy (www.gov.ie).