20th May 2010: Dawn Meats  in Ballyhauis Mayo  is one of 15 companies to have secured funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP) this year.

The long-term aim of the Cleaner Greener Production Programme is to ensure that cleaner greener production and eco-efficiency become the established norm in Ireland. The EPA hope that other businesses will learn from past success stories and that they will work towards the CGPP’s tagline objective: Better Business in a Better Ireland.

This is the fourth phase of EPA funding for companies that improve business practices and establish eco-efficiency.  These firms produce goods and services in more environmentally friendly ways, and minimize their emissions through cleaner production methods. The objective is to achieve a balance between economic activity and protection of the environment, across various sectors, such as manufacturing, food processing, IT, services etc.

Mr Micheál O Cinnéide, EPA Director said:
“The EPA is pleased to fund projects with a range of Irish businesses through the Cleaner Greener Production Programme. The EPA has supported cleaner greener business practices since 1997 and is committed to the development of a Smart Green Economy for Ireland.  The CGPP programme is a competitive and successful programme and was highlighted as an Exemplar Programme in a recent European Commission review of Eco-Innovation. There are many economic opportunities for Ireland in becoming a low-carbon and greener economy. Alongside other Sate agencies, the EPA will continue to encourage the business sector to move towards cleaner greener production.” 

On May 20th 2010, 15 Irish companies that are participating in the EPAs’ Cleaner Greener Production Programme Phase 4 (CGPP), came together in Tullamore to a network workshop to share research, ideas and products into new cleaner greener business practices which reduce costs, protect the environment and improve bottom lines.

EPA CGPP Programme Coordinator, Lisa Sheils said:
“The facts would appear to speak for themselves, the combined savings among the successful projects has already been tremendous and yet we are only half way through the programme.”

To date, they have recorded the following significant improvements:

• €620,000 cost saving per annum to date
• 1900 m3 of water per annum
• 420 tonnes of general waste diverted from landfill
• Preventative waste arisings 728 tonnes paper/card board and 51 tonnes of plastic
• 266 tonnes of CO2 emissions reductions
• Significant reduction in transport costs

A final report on the CGPP 4 projects will be released in 2011.

 Membership Closing Date – Friday 30th April 2010

Dawn Meats would like to thank all those suckler farmers who have applied to become members of our SOS Club and to remind those who wish to do so that April 30th is the closing date for receipt of applications.

For further information please contact our Procurement Managers who are currently working through existing applications. 

We look forward to working with you through the SOS Club to help increase suckler margins. 

The Dawn Meats Group is currently investing in a dairy beef production project adapting the latest most up-to-date information on production efficiencies with Teagasc to develop and demonstrate profitable opportunities for dairy bred male calves by taking them through to slaughter in their second year. 

Dawn and Teagasc have previously collaborated on numerous projects including the original Dawn Teagasc Beef Partnership Scheme which was the forerunner to the current Better Farm Beef Programme in which Dawn are involved with other stakeholders.  Dawn are determined to make their Dairy Beef Club deliver by marrying their marketing capability with production systems already developed by Teagasc on their beef and dairy units around the country.

In announcing the scheme Paul Nolan – Group Development Manager with Dawn Meats said that the motivation for this project has come from evidence that the current marketing channels being used by dairy farmers for their bull calves are loss making whilst better marketing outlets are possible.  He went on to say that a number of demonstration units are already being progressed in Johnstown Castle and on farms in the South, South East and West with the first animals expected to be ready for slaughter in late 2011.

The project involves collecting 2 week old bull calves and delivering them to specialised rearing units that will be given a menu of feeding regimes for the production of suitable bull beef from 15 – 21 months of age.  A series of open days are planned at these units for later this year and new members will be welcome for 2011.

March 23, 2010.

Click HERE for article in Irish Farmers Journal 27th March 2010

A medieval theme has been selected for Waterford’s third food festival, which takes place in the county
from April 16th to 18th.

Spit-roasting suckling pig in the market square in Dungarvan, demonstrations of traditional brewing
and food trails for edible foods in Colligan Wood and for seaweed on Clonea Strand are among the
centuries-old activities that will feature side by side with local produce available from Waterford food
producers and chefs.

During the festival, a range of “foodie” events will be held including demonstrations by some of the country’s
top chefs, including Dungarvan’s Paul Flynn, Neven Maguire, Derry Clarke and Catherine Fulvio and local
chefs Eunice Power, Louise Clarke, Conor Foran and Shane McGrath.

Special festival food menus, in keeping with the medieval theme, are on offer in local restaurants and there
are food-tasting trails over the weekend.

Irish Times 05/03/10