Lidl Ireland to roll out 20 pollinator-friendly stores across Ireland by end of 2021
Minister Pippa Hackett has commended Lidl Ireland’s progressive work in the area of biodiversity
Print18 May 2021
Following the debut of the retailer’s first ‘pollinator-friendly store’ in Youghal, Co. Cork last summer, Lidl has committed to the roll out of 20 more such stores across the island of Ireland by the end of 2021, including several store locations in Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Meath, Roscommon, Louth and Offaly. Lidl Ireland’s head of CSR, Owen Keogh, was joined by Minister of State for Agriculture, Pippa Hackett, to launch the new initiative at Lidl Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Building on its long-term environmental targets and comprehensive sustainability strategy ‘A Better Tomorrow’, the group is confident that this latest commitment shows its leadership in the biodiversity field. As a member of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan since 2018, Lidl has been working collaboratively towards the protection of biodiversity and the conservation of native ecosystems in line with Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The concept involves suitable surrounding areas at Lidl Ireland store locations being optimised to create an area of pollination promotion. Featuring reduced mowing practices, wildflower planting, an insect hotel and informative signage, these areas can look overgrown but are in fact a haven for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies, which are essential for the production of the fresh fruit and vegetables.
Encouraging customers to participate in the protection of Ireland’s natural biodiversity on an individual level, Lidl is selling a selection of pollinator-friendly plants and flowers in its 168 stores nationwide from Thursday, 20 May, including potted sunflowers, lavender, shrub peony, lupins, climbing jasmine, pepper plants and strawberry hanging baskets to name but a few.
Minister of State for Agriculture with responsibility for land use and biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, commended Lidl Ireland’s progressive work in the area of biodiversity.
“Encouraging our native biodiversity to flourish is incredibly important, and we all have a part to play in doing so,” Minister Hackett said. “I am delighted to see Lidl Ireland taking the initiative and supporting Ireland’s national biodiversity with the roll out of its pollinator-friendly stores, giving people across the country the opportunity to learn about and actively participate in the conservation and revitalisation of Irish biodiversity on an individual level.”
Lidl Ireland has also announced that it has become the first and only retailer in Ireland to design a biodiversity-focused farming standard in collaboration with a certified body. Developed in partnership with GLOBALG.A.P., the Integrated Farm Assurance Standard, is an internationally recognised standard for sustainable agricultural practices and food production. This standard echoes years of research and stakeholder collaboration arriving at several essential compliance criteria which now include biodiversity specifications that the retailer is working alongside several of its more than 260 local Irish suppliers to integrate into its supply chain.
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