GBP15MILLION GRANTAID FOR AGRIFOOD INDUSTRY

29/11/2010

The £1.5m investment has been made under the EU Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG) Scheme.

The funding, for Topping Meats (Larne), Tullynaskeagh Farms Ltd (Downpatrick), Chapman Foods (Portadown), Loughshore Vegetable Ltd (Coalisland) and K.Hughes & Co Ltd (Moy), will be delivered under the EU Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG) Scheme, which provides support for capital investment to companies involved in the processing of primary agricultural and horticultural products.

Announcing the awards Minister for Rural Development Michaelle Gildernew said: “The food and horticultural sectors are important to both the farming community and the wider economy. This significant funding will help these local companies invest in new buildings, plant and equipment, as well as improving their economic performance and competitiveness.

“The awards are the latest in a series under the PMG Scheme and to date my Department has provided offers of grant totalling £8.4million for 27 capital investment projects. As part of the Rural Development Programme, this scheme will bring a total investment of £21million to the local economy.”

Allan Chambers, from Tullynaskeagh Farms Ltd, said: “Without the assistance provided by DARD and the PMG Scheme, it would be very difficult for us to undertake this exciting farm diversification project. The funding provided will secure existing jobs and provide new opportunities as we develop our product.” Ursula Cushnahan, from Loughshore Vegetable Ltd, added: “The funding provided for investment in new buildings, and plant and equipment will help us guarantee a quality service to our customers. In addition, the expansion within our company will give primary producers the opportunity to expand to meet our increased level of demand.”

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