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, presents 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 offers their responses and reflections to the paper’s key themes. This panel includes: 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: 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. 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.  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. 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. Ailbhe Gerrard, founder of Brookfield Farm, is a farmer, beekeeper, researcher, and agricultural educator with deep interest in agriculture, creativity and regeneration.