ICOS hosted the annual conference of the AEMB (European Association of Livestock Marts) in Athlone. A range of high level speakers addressed the event including Aidan Cotter of Board Bia, John Horgan of Kepack and the event was closed by a key note speech by the European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.

In a wide ranging speech to delegates from across Europe, the Commissioner underlined the many benefits of the livestock trading network in terms of providing a transparent pricing system and a live trade outlet for farmers.

The speech went on to outline the importance of innovation in making Agriculture systems in Ireland and across Europe fit for purpose and able to compete and thrive in global markets.

Work on the rebalancing of the food chain to strengthen farmers and cooperative business was touched on, as well as instruments that were being worked on in Europe that are designed to help meet the challenges of modern agriculture.

These include developments in investments from the European Investment Bank, promotion policy, developments in electronic tagging and work on bilateral trade deals to key export markets.

By Conor Mulvihill