Lidl has become the first supermarket retailer in Ireland to launch an innovative new sustainability programme for Irish beef farmers.

Through the programme, participating farmers will benefit from on-farm knowledge-sharing sessions where farmers and external industry experts will share and demonstrate best practices in sustainability.

With an initial investment of more than €200,000 over four years, Lidl Ireland aims to create greater awareness of the environmental challenges of beef farming among consumers and to share insights on the initiatives undertaken by the participating farmers to make beef more sustainable, with a view to translating the impact of the programme in a clear way for customers.

​The Lidl Sustainable Beef Programme has been developed by the retailer in partnership with Lidl’s beef supplier Liffey Meats, Bord Bia and more than 20 beef farmers from across Ireland, who will work together to implement innovative sustainable farming practices to reduce carbon emissions associated with beef farming.

The programme will be measured through Teagasc’s AgNav platform, where farmers will review their data and progress will be regularly measured.

Lidl said “ongoing supports” will be offered to the farmers as they progress on their sustainability journey.

JP Scally, chief executive officer of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said that beef is hugely important to Irish agriculture and the recent granting of Protected Geographic Indication status for Irish grass-fed beef is further recognition of the quality of the product.

“However, the industry faces a significant challenge in reducing its environmental footprint and, as a responsible retailer, we know that we have an important role to play in supporting our beef farmers to reduce their environmental impact,” he said.

Reporting on:independent.ie