Two Laois businesses awarded Origin Green Gold Membership

Two businesses in Laois have been awarded Origin Green Gold Membership from Bord Bia. 

Stradbally based Ballykilcavan Brewing Company and The Merry Mill have both received the award in recognition of their commitment to driving sustainability initiatives.

The Gold Members were formally acknowledged at Bord Bia’s annual Origin Green Sustainability Seminar, which was opened by Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.

A total of 52 Gold Member companies in 2024 came from Leinster, with the highest number of companies coming from Dublin (12), Meath (9) and Wexford (8). Kilkenny business. Tirlán achieved Gold Membership for the fifth year in a row this year, the only company reaching the achievement.

Deirdre Ryan, Director of Sustainability and Quality Assurance, Origin Green at Bord Bia, who officially announced the 2024 Gold Members, said: “To drive continuous change and improvement, each year Origin Green raises the threshold to meet Gold Membership status. The record number of companies awarded Gold Membership this year is reflective of the appetite of the Irish food and drink sector to accelerate their sustainability actions.

"Acknowledging the efforts and exemplary performance of these companies ensures that we are rewarding change and inspiring others to take their own steps to better our environment. I look forward to seeing our 2024 Gold Members continue to champion sustainability in the coming years.
In particular, I would like to congratulate Tirlán, which has been recognised as an Origin Green Gold Member for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting its longstanding commitment to improving sustainability at pace.” 

This year’s 110 Gold Membership companies come from 24 counties across Ireland and represent sectors including dairy, meat, seafood and aquaculture, confectionary, beverages, and horticulture.

Speaking today, Jim O’Toole, CEO of Bord Bia, said: “The record level of companies committing to sustainability targets and achieving Gold Membership is incredibly encouraging and a testament to the collective ambition of the sector.

"Ireland’s food and drink industry is committed to playing its part in tackling the climate and biodiversity challenge we all face. Through its members, the Origin Green programme has achieved positive progress over its 12 years.  The latest report by the Environmental Protection Agency shows that the agriculture industry is moving in the right direction, with emissions reducing by 4.6% in 2023. While positive, the industry must accelerate this progress.

 
"Origin Green is committed to working collaboratively with industry and farmers to implement initiatives and measures to grow the sustainability capability of all members, to achieve lasting and meaningful change.”