Meat Matters: Shaping the future of fresh, value-added, and meal innovation

Join us at Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre for this landmark event bringing together industry leaders, researchers and policymakers to explore the latest advancements shaping the future of the meat sector in Ireland and beyond. This Food Innovation Gateways event will highlight a decade of research and collaboration funded by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland, Research Ireland and other partners, including the flagship Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) initiative.

Keynote presentations, expert-led panels, and research showcases, will examine emerging risks and opportunities across primary and secondary meat processing, with a focus on consumer insights, nutrition, innovation, food safety, and sustainability. Attendees will also have the chance to network with peers, engage in open dialogue on sectoral priorities, and experience Teagasc Ashtown’s state-of-the-art specialist facilities and industry supports.

This event is a unique opportunity to gain fresh insight, forge connections, and consider the future of meat.

The programme for the day will include two thought-provoking panel discussions:

Panel Discussion 1: Exploring future innovation opportunities in fresh meat

Chaired by Micol Martinelli, Research, Innovation and Infrastructure, Enterprise Ireland with:

• John Murray, Director of Client & Stakeholder Engagement, Bord Bia
• Philip Carroll, Chairman, Meat Industry Ireland
• Elaine Bourke, NPD & Innovation Director, Kepak Group
• Alice Stanton, Professor of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Declan Troy, International Secretary of the International Congress of Meat Science and Technology

Panel Discussion 2: Exploring sustainable innovation in value-added meats and meal solutions

Chaired by Siobhán Jordan, Head of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Teagasc, with:

• Karen Byrne, New Business and Innovation Strategist, Dawn Farms
• John O’Brien, Managing Director, O'Brien Fine Foods
• Gail Carroll, Director Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Building, Food Safety Authority of Ireland
• Karl Walsh, Head of Research, Bioeconomy and Codex, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Info: Speaker: Eva Gocsik, Global Strategist Animal Protein at Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research

Info: Speaker: John Colreavy, Director Meat Technology Ireland (MTI)

Info: Panel Discussion 1with panellists: John Murray, Director of Client & Stakeholder Engagement (Bord Bia), Philip Carroll (Chairman, Meat Industry Ireland), Elaine Bourke (NPD & Innovation Director, Kepak Group), Alice Stanton (Professor of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences) and Declan Troy (International Secretary of the International Congress of Meat Science and Technology). The session will be chaired by Micol Martinelli, Research, Innovation and Infrastructure, Enterprise Ireland.

Info: Speaker: Ruth Hamill, Principal Meat Research Scientist, Teagasc

Info: Panel Discussion 2 with panellists: Karen Byrne (New Business and Innovation Strategist, Dawn Farms), John O’Brien (Managing Director, O'Brien Fine Foods Food Safety), Gail Carroll ( Director Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Building, Food Safety Authority of Ireland) and Karl Walsh (Head of Research, Bioeconomy and Codex, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

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Host or Publisher Teagasc