ABP is hosting a group of Northern Irish pupils and their teachers on a European farm to fork study tour in conjunction with Certified Irish Angus Producer Group to broaden their understanding of its Europe-wide business operations. The tour commences today (28th June) at Lismullin Cookery School in Navan and continues in Belgium to include visits to an Angus farm in Bruges, the European Parliament and a meeting with the NI Executive Office in Brussels.
The group who are from Down High School Downpatrick; Friends School Lisburn; St Killian’s College in Co. Antrim and St. Louis Grammar School Ballymena were welcomed in Navan by ABP Ireland representatives and briefed about its European operations. They received a master-butcher demonstration by the ABP-owned Kettyle Irish Foods and took part in a practical session about the nutritional values of beef before getting to cook their own Angus steaks for themselves and their teachers.
The pupils are all finalists in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, an agri-skills based competition for 14-15 year olds. The programme is modelled on the popular Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition which ABP co-sponsors in the Republic of Ireland and has been adapted for Northern Ireland.
Welcoming the teenagers and their teachers Kristina Campion, Brand Manager with ABP Ireland said, “The tour is a fantastic way for young people to gain an insight into opportunities and roles that exist across our supply chain. The experience they gain as finalists helps their learning and understanding of agrifood production and the beef industry in general.”
Charles Smith of the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group added, “there’s a real excitement in schools and in families about taking part in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge study tour. This trip along with the many skills and benefits of taking part helps to broaden their horizons and develop an understanding of the business connections involved in ABP’s operations from farm to fork.