Dawn Meats, which has operations in seven locations around Ireland, and many more across the UK and Europe, has been awarded in two categories at the prestigious Green Awards 2016 at the Double Tree Hilton, Dublin.
In front of an audience of close to 450 industry professionals, the Waterford-based processor was awarded “Green Large Organisation of the Year” and the “Sustainable Supply Chain Achievement Award”.
The annual event at which the cream of Ireland’s green industry is recognised, was hosted by Colm O’Regan with the key note address given by the acting Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly T.D. Over the course of the evening, awards were presented to 25 progressive national organisations, leaders and teams.
Niall Browne, Dawn Meats CEO commented “we are delighted to have won these two prestigious awards. They recognise the combined efforts of hundreds of people from Dawn Meats over many years who work towards our company goal of being Europe’s most sustainable meat company. Dawn Meats has set itself demanding 2020 targets to reduce water and energy intensity by 40% and emission intensity by 50%. It is particularly rewarding to receive the sustainable supply chain achievement award after our many years of working collaboratively with our primary farmer suppliers and our customers.”
Dawn Meats has actively promoted initiatives over several years to engage with farmers, research organisations and other interested stakeholders in supporting sustainable agriculture. The company established a demonstration suckler beef farm in 2015 at Newford, Athenry. The Newford farm aims to share best practise in grassland management, breeding, animal health and welfare which will support environmentally and commercially sustainable beef production.
Dawn Meats will host an open day on the 25th of May at Newford Farm and all interested parties are welcome. For more information, visit http://www.newfordsucklerbeef.ie/