South East Technological College win eighth Nice Agri-food Debate

Posted on Mar 29, 2023

South East Technological College (SETU) had been declared the winners of the eighth Annual Nice Agri-Meals debate, organised by Daybreak Meats and McDonald’s.

Niall Browne, CEO Daybreak Meats, presents the winner’s trophy to South East Technological College (SETU).

SETU defeated College Faculty Cork within the last having opposed the movement that: “The answer to damaging shopper perceptions of crimson meat is extra trustworthy communication”.

Eight groups from throughout Eire and the UK – seven third stage establishments and one trade grouping – entered the competitors this yr together with groups from Wales and Northern Eire. The ultimate was held in-person on Tuesday March twenty eighth at Butchers’ Corridor in London.

In defeating UCC within the last, SETU made it three wins a row following successes in 2021 and 2022. SETU was established in Could of 2022, but it surely was shaped by means of the amalgamation of IT Carlow and Waterford Institute of Expertise (WIT). WIT had been winners of the Nice Agri-Meals Debate in 2021 and 2022. In addition they gained in 2019.

Aberystwyth College made a welcome return after their debut in 2021 as did final yr’s newcomers the Munster Technological College (MTU) and PYF – a crew of placement yr college students from McDonald’s Progressive Younger Farmers programme.

These relative newcomers had been joined by Faculty of Agriculture, Meals and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Dundalk Institute of Expertise (DkIT), College Faculty Cork (UCC), College Faculty Dublin (UCD) and final yr’s winners Waterford Institute of Expertise (WIT) now referred to as South East Technological College (SETU) following their amalgamation with IT Carlow.

The preliminary spherical of debates passed off just about, as they did in 2022, with this enabling wider participation in what has turn out to be a calendar second for college students learning agriculture associated topics. This yr is the primary time the occasion concerned a hybrid of each on-line and in-person debates with the ultimate being held on the elegant Butchers’ Corridor in London on Tuesday, March 28.

Greatest Speaker was awarded to Barry Stratford from UCC.

The ultimate was judged by a spread of representatives from the agrifood trade and past, together with:

Harriet Wilson, agriculture and sustainable sourcing at McDonald’s UK and Eire
Niall Browne, CEO of Daybreak Meats and Dunbia
Junior Johnson, director of operations, Meals Requirements Company
Siobhan Barnes, senior procurement supervisor agriculture and aquaculture, Whitbread
Nick Allen, CEO of British Meat Processors Affiliation.

Commenting after the controversy, Niall Browne, CEO Daybreak Meats mentioned: “Yearly at this debate, there are new and sophisticated motions that deserve the eye of our trade. We witnessed some well-accomplished debating from a robust cohort of scholars whose insights, intelligence and enthusiasm make me actually optimistic about the way forward for Irish and British agriculture. Hearty congratulations to the successful crew, and my because of our companions McDonald’s and all of the contributors and judges and for making this occasion so successful.”

Harriet Wilson, agriculture and sustainable sourcing supervisor for McDonald’s UK and Eire mentioned: “The Nice Agri Meals Debate all the time sparks considerate discussions, and this yr was no totally different. We all know that with a view to futureproof the agriculture trade, we should have interaction the following technology, so it’s been actually inspiring to listen to the views from our Progressive Younger Farmers and all college students concerned, on these necessary subjects. I’d additionally wish to congratulate Southeast Technological College on a incredible last debate.”