ABP Northern Ireland is one of the provinces leading agri-businesses and part of ABP Food Group. The company specialises in the processing of beef and lamb and has production facilities located in Newry, Lurgan, Dungannon and Lisnaskea. It employs 1,600 colleagues and works with over 6000 farm families across Northern Ireland. The company supplies its products to many of Britain’s leading retailers and food service providers. ABP has adopted science-based climate targets to help decarbonise its business. Targets include a further 27% cut in carbon emissions directly arising from operations by 2030 against 2016 base year. ABP also has committed to a 17% cut in carbon emissions from its supply chain and packaging by 2030 also against 2016 base.
In line with its science-based approach the company’s environmental strategy encompasses entire supply chain from the farm gate to the consumer. Particular focus is on the reduction of Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions. For example, last year, ABP has today announced an investment of £1.5 million in a unique sustainability programme called Prism which will support 350 of its farmer suppliers across the UK and share wider learnings across the beef and sheep sectors. The aim of Prism is to help participants improve their carbon footprint and sustainability across the entirety of the farm. Fifty farmers from Northern Ireland are participating in programme.
Education partnerships are also an important part of ABP’s commitment to the future of NI agri-food production. The company is investing in a number of partnerships to make a lasting contribution to the development of young people so that they can progress and succeed in agri-food jobs. The ABP Angus Youth Challenge (AYC) is an immersive ‘farm-to-fork’ learning experience in food production. Yrs.11-12 compete by way of video submissions and at an independently-judged exhibition for a place on a finalist programme, Finalists win a mini-herd of calves to rear through to beef and share profit from their sale. They are also assigned research projects on Agri-Sustainability aligned to GCSE subjects and that support learning outcomes. The Finalists are given training in communication and interview skills provided by Cool FM/DTR and Business in the Community’s Education & Jobs team. Entries for the 2023 Angus Youth Challenge will open on 3rd September.
The company has been a strong supporter of the Balmoral Show and has been a corporate sponsor for the last ten years. ABP has used its platform at the show to give a voice to rural charities and industry partners. This year ABP replaced its traditional marquee – stand with an agricultural building. The building was donated to Rural Support, as a prize fund draw and in the process raised over £60,000 for the Life Beyond programme.
