The government has awarded funding to 22 projects in the meat and dairy sectors to develop and diversify post-Brexit.
Earlier today (Tuesday), it announced the names of the firm that will benefit from its €70m Capital Investment Scheme.
The government said the scheme – for processing and marketing of agricultural products – will:
- Help farmers and those working in food production to diversify their offering;
- Attract new markets and customers, making their business more resilient and sustainable in the long term.
Enterprise Ireland will administer the fund.
Meat and dairy sectors
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, made the announcement.
The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the fund will benefit farmers and the wider community.
He views this as a “major investment” in Ireland’s agri-food industry, rural Ireland’s “lifeblood”.
“It’s all about helping the industry to develop and diversify by moving up the value chain and gaining access to new markets including Asia and North America.”
“I’m extremely proud of the fact that we produce enough food to feed nine times our population.”
“Our agriculture sector employs nearly 165,000 people here. We want to make sure these jobs are secure in the long-term.”
He said the funding will go directly to food producers and processors in the meat and dairy sectors to help them diversify and “win” new customers post-Brexit.
Also, he said it will help them prepare for a low carbon future, given commitments on climate.
He views Brexit as a “warning of the dangers of becoming over-reliant on a certain market”.
Furthermore, he cited reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining production levels as another challenge facing food producers.
Varadkar said Ireland now needs to take action now that:
- Embraces new technology;
- Creates new jobs and new business opportunities;
- Protects rural communities;
- Tries to avoid driving up the cost of living.
He said the fund aims to help food producers make the transition.
Enhance and maintain its reputation
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said:
“This government is committed to supporting our agri-food sector and ensuring that Ireland’s reputation for high-quality, safe, and sustainable food production is maintained and enhanced.”
Furthermore, he said product development and market diversification go hand-in-hand.
McConalogue confirmed he will work closely with his colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon, TD, who has specific responsibility for new market development to ensure that Irish food exporters can take advantage of the opportunities in key international markets.
“The key to these strategic investments is bringing benefits for all those along the supply chain, particularly farmers as the critical primary producers who are the bedrock of €14bn export sector.”
Concluding, Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said:
“Our agri-food sector has to increasingly focus on sustainability, competitiveness and innovation to grow existing and new markets.”
“The funding announced today will help achieve these important goals,” he concluded.
List of successful projects: Meat and dairy sectors
| Company | Location | Brief Project Description | Funding Under This Measure | ||||
| Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd | Mallow, Co Cork | Capital Investment to Support Product and Market diversification | 4,743,680 | ||||
| Dawn Meats Ireland | Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo and Kilbeggan Co. Westmeath | Capital enhancements to both facilities | 1,601,700 | ||||
| Dawn Meats Ireland | Charleville, Co Cork, and Rathdowney, Co Laois. | Capital enhancements to both facilities | 4,366,495 | ||||
| Dawn Meats Ireland | Grannagh, Waterford and Carroll’s Cross, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford | Capital enhancements to both facilities | 4,031,805 | ||||
| Glanbia Ireland | Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 2,700,000 | ||||
| Slaney Foods | Bunclody, Co. Wexford | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 1,988,519 | ||||
| Tipperary Co Operative Creamery | Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary | Ingredients Processing System | 596,377 | ||||
| Glanbia Ireland | Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny. | Capital investment to support diversification of product base | 1,404,250 | ||||
| Kepak | Watergrasshill, Co. Cork | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 3,119,188 | ||||
| McCarren Meats | Drumavanagh, Co. Cavan | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 3,995,964 | ||||
| Glenisk | Tullamore, Co. Offaly | Decarbonisation strategy | 491,310 | ||||
| Kepak | Ballybay, Co. Monaghan | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 916,919 | ||||
| Kepak | Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 1,967,929 | ||||
| Silver Hill Foods | Emyvale, Co. Monaghan | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 5,000,000 | ||||
| Henry Denny & Sons | Charleville, Co. Cork | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy at Charleville facility | 5,000,000 | ||||
| Donegal Meat Processors | Carrigans, Co. Donegal. | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 2,422,690 | ||||
| Liffey Meats | Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan. | Capital investment to support product and market diversification | 4,980,000 | ||||
| T O’Regan & Sons | Clonakilty, Co. Cork | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 5,000,000 | ||||
| Kerrygold Butter Packing | Mitchelstown Co. Cork | Capital investment to support market diversification strategy | 4,972,208 | ||||
| Bandon Vale Cheese | Bandon, Co. Cork | Capital investment in Bandon facility | 5,000,000 | ||||
| Moyvalley Meats | Broadford, Co. Kildare. | Capital investment to support product and market diversification | 749,416 | ||||
| Dawn Farm Foods | Naas, Co. Kildare. | Capital investment to support product and market diversification | 4,951,550 |
