WIT, which won the debate two years ago, is one of six colleges to participate from around Ireland and the UK in the Great Agri-Food Debate 2021
Students of food and agriculture at six third level colleges from across Ireland and the UK, including Waterford Institute of Technology will gather virtually for the 6th Annual Great Agri-Food Debate across three days in March and April.
The Debate is a joint initiative between Dawn Meats & McDonald’s, and this is the first year the competition will be held virtually.
Three-day event
Students from WIT will be joined by five other third level colleges in a competitive programme of debate across between 30 March and 1 April 2021. The team is made up of Michael Martin, Joe Maher, Helena Hennessy, Amy Caldbeck (Agricultural Science), Robert Corron and Bronagh Morrissey (Agriculture) and Patrick Conway (Land Management). The speaking members of the team are Michael Martin, Helena Hennessy, Joe Maher and Robert Corron with Amy, Patrick and Bronagh acting as researchers.
On 1 April at 2pm the WIT team are up against Dundalk Institute of Technology on the topic of 'Lab grown meats will not replace traditional livestock farming systems'. Join the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JFtUuvD_MQ
Sustainability and its role in the future of the agri-food industry will be central to the discussions, with students debating the following motions:
- Plastic is not the enemy of our blue planet
- Lab grown meats will not replace traditional livestock farming systems
- The livestock sector can meet the requirements for net zero
2019 winners Waterford Institute of Technology, last year’s winners University College Dublin, University of Limerick, Northern Ireland’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Dundalk Institute of Technology and University of Aberystwyth will compete across the three days.
All island and Wales competition
This year’s debate also brings another new dimension to proceedings with the involvement of the University of Aberystwyth, marking the first time a college from outside the island of Ireland has been involved, emphasizing the shared need for continued dialogue on issues of common interest in the UK & Irish agri-food sector.
Commenting, Niall Browne, CEO Dawn Meats said: “Despite the challenges faced by both the food industry and the education sector, we are delighted that the Great Agri-food Debate can continue in its sixth year, albeit with a slightly different format to previous years.
“The participation of the University of Aberystwyth in Wales is timely, and I look forward to the different perspectives they will bring. I also wish all participants the very best of luck, and I’m eager to hear the voices of the future of our industry”
Opportunity to examine big issues
Beth Hart, McDonald’s UK and Ireland Vice President for Supply Chain and Brand Trust commented: “We are proud to partner with Dawn Meats to support this year’s 2021 Virtual Great Agri Food Debate. During these challenging times, it is more vital than ever that young people are encouraged to engage with the big issues of our times – whether that’s climate change or debating what a post-Covid world could look like.
“At McDonald’s we work with many of the UK and Ireland’s best farm producers, so it’s no surprise that we attach huge importance to engaging with and understanding the ideas and viewpoints of the next generation coming through Irish and UK colleges and universities. Good luck to all participants and I look forward to an informative and fun day.”
Access debates
The debates will be streamed as follows
30 March from 14:00
- The livestock sector can meet the requirements for net zero
- Aberystwyth versus CAFRE
- Direct Link to the debate YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WKcvon8qqU
31 March from 14:00
- Plastic is not the enemy of our blue planet
- UCD versus UL
- Direct Link to the debate YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUBLvc1t22A
1 April from 14:00
- Lab grown meats will not replace traditional livestock farming systems
- WIT versus DKIT
- Direct Link to the debate YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JFtUuvD_MQ
YouTube will notify you as soon as we go live. There are 3 simple steps you need to take in order to receive the notification with the link to the live streaming:
Step 1: Click on "Dawn Meats" YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqaszdJfbv8JMkkDj3jOYA
Step 2: Subscribe to the channel by clicking the red SUBSCRIBE
Once the Debates stream live, they will be available to view at your convenience.
Related Courses
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agricultural Science
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Land Management in Agriculture
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Land Management in Horticulture
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Land Management in Forestry
- Bachelor of Science in Forestry
- Bachelor of Science in Horticulture (Kildalton College)
- Bachelor of Science in Horticulture (National Botanic Gardens)
- Bachelor of Science in Food Science & Innovation
- Bachelor of Science in Food Science with Business
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Science (Common Entry)
- Bachelor of Science in Science (General)
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