Established in 1978 by Dermot and Nicola Herlihy, this family-run business may not be the biggest egg producer in Ireland - but it's a benchmarking operation when it comes to sustainability.
The second generation of the Herlihy family is now involved with the business, which has production houses on the original farm in Drogheda, Co Louth and also in nearby Monaghan - and, whether it's supplying retail ready packs (own brand and Belview Eggs branded) to multiples or 30-egg trays for foodservice orders, providing quality has always been the guiding principle for both their free range and fresh egg ranges.
Improving on sustainable systems is at the heart of their development and this includes seeking new and better ways of doing things, as well as investment in the best available equipment.
Electricity and waste were key areas for improvement and changes that have made a big difference in recent years include the move, in 2015, from disposable cardboard trays to reusable plastic trays which are supplied to Belview’s producers for the inward collection of eggs. In the same year they installed their first two two solar panel units to generate hot water for the packing centre - by 2017 this had risen to 400 solar panels, so the farm is now powered completely by solar energy.
These initiatives - plus many more, including areas like raw material sourcing, manufacturing and social sustainability, that the Herlihys have undertaken as part of their membership of the Bord Bia Origin Green project - have led to Belview Eggs being seen as a benchmark in the industry, which must be a great point of pride for the family.
The hens benefit from all these initiatives too, of course, and so does the local environment.
Who would have thought, for instance, that seeing a plant and flower wall - and bee pollinators - would be a highlight of visits to an egg farm by local schools? But there is a genuine commitment to promoting local biodiversity, and a visit to Belview is designed to educate the children on the importance of bees and how they can help them by setting up pollinators in their own gardens or at school.
It's a remarkable vision - and something to marvel at next time you spot Belview Eggs in your local shop, or pass one of their vans on the road.
