Published: Wednesday, 27th May, 2009 12:00pm

Liffey Meats investment will create 30 new jobs, says Minister Smith

Minister Brendan Smith announced an investment of some €21.8m is to be made in Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff and AIBP Clones. He confirmed that the two plants were part of 15 projects to benefit from investment of €168m and is expected to create 800 additional jobs by 2012. The government is contributing, €69m to the investment, and the balance is coming from the processors.

The investment in Ballyjamesduff is €6.6m and is expected to generate 20-30 new jobs; the Clones plant will receive €15.2m which should double its capacity. Minister Smith said it was the largest such capital investment in 20 years and was a 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.

'I"m delighted that Liffey Meats and AIBP are to benefit from this significant investment,' he said. 'Both are major employers and with this injection of capital, are set to expand their operations and create more jobs,' the Minister said.

'The food industry employs some 46,000 people directly and 60,000 people in distribution and services, purchasing €5bn of agricultural products and €8bn of Irish goods and services. County by county, agri-food provides essential economic infrastructure to support regional development and jobs,' the minister said. He 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 food traditions. 'In the last five years exports have increased from €6.5bn to €8bn. Some 80% of our agricultural output is exported to more than 140 countries worldwide.'

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 Sheep meat 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.

To maintain viability in the sector it is important to consolidate our position in EU markets. The pace of change in the industry has accelerated, as has international competition. Broader challenges are emerging, in part due to world trade liberalisation, and also as a result of global concentration at retail level. These, together with currency challenges drive the requirements for competitive production costs and improved efficiency and environmental and quality standards,' Minister Smith concluded.