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The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/Monaghan, T.D. Mr. Brendan Smith has announced that a total investment of over €21.8 million is to be made in Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff and AIBP Clones.

The Minister confirmed that the 2 plants were part of 15 separate projects throughout the country which are to benefit from investment of €168 million and is expected to create 800 additional jobs by 2012. The Government is contributing, €69 million to the investment, with the balance coming from the processors themselves.

The total investment in Ballyjamesduff will be almost €6.6 million and is expected to generate between, 20 and 30 new jobs, while the Clones plant will see an investment of €15.2 million which should double it’s capacity.

Minister Smith said that the investment announced was the largest such capital investment in 20 years and was a very significant vote of confidence in the Irish meat processing sector which employs 10,000 people directly, processing the output of 100,000 beef and sheep farmers. “As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I am delighted that Liffey Meats in Ballyjamesduff and AIBP in Clones are to benefit from this very significant investment. Both are major employers and with this injection of capital, are set to expand their operations and very importantly, create more jobs”, the Minister said.

Minister Smith outlined how the agri-food sector is the most important indigenous industry in Ireland, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs, at both producer and processor level. “The food industry alone employs some 46,000 people directly and 60,000 people in distribution and services, purchasing €5 billion of agricultural products and €8 billion of Irish goods and services. County by county, agri-food provides essential economic infrastructure to support regional development and jobs”, the Minister said.

The also highlighted that Ireland is home to powerful international food and drink brands, to high quality dairy, meat, prepared foods and beverage sectors and rich artisan and local food traditions. “In the past five years exports have increased from €6.5 billion to €8 billion.  Over 80% of our agricultural output is exported to over 140 countries worldwide”, the Minister added.

Minister Smith congratulated Liffey Meats and AIBP Clones for their commitment to expanding their operations which the Government was delighted to be in a position to support. “The food industry and the meat sector are vital to the country’s future, in terms of employment and export earnings. The support being made available for capital investment in this Beef and Sheepmeat Fund, together with ongoing investment in excellence in Irish research capability and innovation, food safety and quality, underlines that Ireland continues to be open for business as a major exporting country”, he said. 

“In the past decade the industry has changed from one largely dependent on commodity trading to one that is consumer focused and competing in high value consumer and foodservice markets.  Huge competitive pressures at this exceptional time make it vital to maintain a robust food industry that provides an outlet for our grass-based production and adds value.