A new producer standard for beef, sheep and dairy farmers will feature a "risk-based approach" to auditing, which Bord Bia believes will drive "efficiency and focus" for members of the standard.

Speaking at the Bord Bia Meat Marketing Seminar 2026 today (Friday, January 16), Bord Bia sustainability and quality assurance director Deirdre Ryan said that the new standard is approaching the final stages of its development.

The Meat Marketing Seminar is an annual event for Irish meat exporters and stakeholders, and features several speakers involved in the sector, on topics including the latest meat market trends and developments, and providing updates on technical and marketing knowledge.

Agriland will be reporting from this year's event throughout today.

At the event, Deirdre Ryan called the process of developing the new producer standard "lengthy, challenging, but very collaborative".

"In 2025 the focus has been on piloting programmes that were discussed with the TACs [Technical Advisory Committees]; on getting feedback on INAB [Irish National Accreditation Board]; and of course on continuous engagement and refining of the feedback we’ve had," Ryan said.

"The feedback…has been positive. We’re confident that the standard [to be] agreed upon now for the next period will deliver, and reflect, and enhance the strong practice of animal welfare; traceability; product safety and quality; and sustainability," she added.

"So in terms of the next steps in the process, there’s TAC meetings planned for the next two months. We’re bringing together the quality assurance board in March who will discuss and agree…the elements of the standard," Ryan explained.

"There will be a very long period of communication and engagement to make sure that everyone is aware and understands all the various different aspects of the primary producer standard, and a cross-over period once it's launched," the Bord Bia quality assurance director added.

Part of that work, she said, involves developing a sustainability action plan for scheme members to enhance the environmental stewardship aspect of the programme.

"We've been discussing animal-based measures, disease and health monitoring as well, and strengthening the social sustainability aspect of the programme," Ryan said.

"And finally, importantly, a risk-based approach to auditing which is going to drive efficiency and focus for our members," she added.

Meat Marketing Seminar

The Bord Bia Meat Marking Seminar was opened this morning by Minister of State for food promotion and new markets Noel Grealish.

He was followed by an opening address from Bord Bia CEO Jim O'Toole.

The event is divided into three sessions. The first of these is on global and local outlooks, and features contributions from Bord Bia experts across several meat sectors.

The second session is on the impact of trade and policy, with a panel discussion involving several speakers.

The third session is on 'Meat, Healthy Diets and a Divided Public', which will feature a contribution from Prof. Alice Stanton, a clinician and scientist who is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).