More and more companies are committing to reducing their impact on climate change and using guides like the UN Sustainability Development Goals to do so.
The largest meat producer in Northern Ireland, Moy Park, showcased its performance house and broiler farm in Waringstown to Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots – the purpose being to demonstrate the company’s practical applications to increasing energy efficiency.
For example, the farm generates its own solar energy which is either converted into heat or stored in a battery.
“Moy Park has a long history of innovation and make a very significant contribution to Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector. Their performance house has the most advanced ventilation control systems available, which constantly monitors both internal and ambient conditions and controls the environment in an energy efficient way,” said Poots. “I welcome the opportunity to see the work ongoing to increase their environmental sustainability and meet their own commitment to achieve net-zero [greenhouse gas] GHG emissions by 2040.”
Moy Park’s parent company is Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation which has committed itself and its subsidiaries to reaching net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. Efforts to achieve this include reaching 60% renewable energy by 2030 and tying senior executive compensation considerations to performance against environmental goals, according to the company website.
“We’re proud to work closely with [the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs] DAERA, industry partners and our farmers to progress sustainability across the agri supply chain through research, development, and collaborations, whilst considering wider environmental challenges such as ammonia and economic viability,” said Justin Coleman, agri business and live production services director at Moy Park. “We will continue to help nurture and grow Northern Ireland’s food industry through meaningful and sustainable steps like this to help address emissions and protect our rural economy.”
Moy Park has 590 broiler farms which employ 800 farmers and, according to its website, is the leading manufacturer of organic, free-range and higher-welfare chickens.
