Membership of the World Packaging Organisation commended by Head of NI Civil Service
March 15, 2022
Membership of the World Packaging Organisation commended by Head of the NI Civil Service during recent visit to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise.
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is well known as a provider of technical skills training, advisory support and education programmes to businesses and individuals in the land-based sectors in Northern Ireland. As our local agri-food sector continues to expand and extend its reach globally, CAFRE has recognised the demand for sustainable packaging materials and the need to ensure that local businesses have access to specialist services and expertise to help them maintain their competitive edge in an international marketplace.
During a recent visit by the Head of the Civil Service, Jayne Brady to CAFRE’s Packaging Technology Centre at Loughry Campus in Cookstown, she commended CAFRE, an integral part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on its work to assist businesses in the agri-food sector in their adoption of sustainable packaging technology and specifically its recent achievement of becoming an Affiliate Member of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). During her visit, Ms Brady presented CAFRE’s World Packaging Organisation (WPO) membership certificate to Alexandra Henry, Scientific Officer at the Packaging Technology Centre.
Ms Brady commented “CAFRE’s membership of the World Packaging Organisation is recognition of the College’s contribution to the WPO objectives of developing international trade links and stimulating education and training in science and packaging. This is an excellent example of how those working within the Northern Ireland Civil Service are supporting the sustainable development of local businesses by engaging and networking globally. I commend all those involved.”
Receiving the Membership award, Martin McKendry CAFRE Director stated that “Membership of the WPO is quite exclusive and subject to an international, member vote – I am pleased that, on the basis of the expertise and facilities within our Packaging Technology Centre that CAFRE has been accepted as an Affiliate Member of the WPO. We are only the second organisation in the UK to achieve this status, the other being IoM3, the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining.”
Membership of the WPO will help CAFRE to network with organisations internationally and bring together the latest developments on sustainable packaging technology for the benefit of businesses in Northern Ireland. Confirming CAFRE’s membership, WPO President Professor Pierre Pienaar said “We are delighted to have CAFRE join the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), what a wonderful asset they will be to our global packaging organisation. CAFRE brings a wealth of food and agricultural packaging technology knowledge to WPO. Together with this knowledge they bring passion, dedication and commitment. The WPO looks forward to a significant and valuable role from CAFRE.”
Jayne Brady (right), Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service presents CAFRE’s World Packaging Organisation (WPO) membership certificate to Alexandra Henry, Scientific Officer at the Packaging Technology Centre, CAFRE – Loughry Campus.