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Devenish, the global farming and food company, presented their company strategy, 'One Health, From Soil to Society', to European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan at the National Ploughing Championships today.
Devenish is headquartered in Belfast and the Group's Innovation Centre, known as 'The Devenish Lands at Dowth' is located in the UNESCO world heritage site of Brú na Bóinne, outside Slane in Co. Meath. Home to some of Ireland’s first farmers some 6,000 years ago, this key platform is being used to learn the lessons from the past, and using these, to help shape the future of sustainable farming and food production.
The Devenish strategy, 'One Health, From Soil to Society', focuses on the importance of optimising nutrient utilisation in soil, plant, animal, environmental and human health, as key and interlinked components of the value chain.
The value chain begins with soil and to produce sustainable food, all levels in the value chain must be sustainable. The Devenish 3-step Soil Improvement Programme, delivered in partnership with Thompson & Joseph, optimises nutrient availability from soil, to grow more forage and higher quality forage. The key nutrients in the soil are then passed on to the animal, via feed, which ultimately impacts positively on both animal and consumer health.
Devenish, along with their partners Moy Park and Waitrose, delivered the world's first naturally enriched omega-3 chicken that was supported by clinical trials to deliver a health claim. The chicken is offered its natural diet, enriched with algae. In collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Devenish research has shown that the omega-3 fatty acids have significant bioavailability in the human body even after one week.
Through the process of evolution, the human body is designed to digest nutrients from a food matrix. Enriching the chicken's diet with algae is good for the bird and good for the human. This is just one example to communicate a wider point on the importance of food nutrients for the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health. In summary, you are what you eat, eats!
Devenish Group CEO, Richard Kennedy, said "We are delighted to welcome Commissioner Hogan and to have this opportunity to present our company strategy to him. As a business, we are focusing on optimising the utilisation of nutrients, right through the value chain, with a clear focus on the importance of food nutrients for proactive animal and human healthcare."
Photo caption:
Pictured presenting the Devenish strategy, 'One Health, From Soil to Society', to European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, at the National Ploughing Championships are: Commissioner Phil Hogan, Dr. Vanessa Woods, Director of Communication, Devenish, with Josh Scahill (age 6) and Grace Tyanan (age 8), both from Shandonagh, Mullingar.