Almost €14.9M for local food processing plants

News Update

Funding to help secure alternative markets following Brexit

Four local food processing plants in Cavan and Monaghan will receive almost €14.9 million to secure alternative markets in light of Brexit.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan- Monaghan Niamh Smyth has confirmed the news and the businesses are among 22 projects nationally to benefit under a €70M Capital Investment Scheme.

McCarren Meats in Cavan Town will receive €3,995,964 and Liffey Meats in Ballyjamesduff has been allocated €4,980,000. In Monaghan, Kepak in Ballybay is set to receive €916,919; while Silver Hill Foods in Emyvale has been granted €5 million.

"I have no doubt that this funding will assist in gaining new markets to sell our Irish produce,” said Deputy Smyth, who thanked her colleague the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.

"As many will know, the agriculture sector employs 165,000 people across rural Ireland and we want to make sure these jobs are secure for the long term and can be grown upon,” she said.

“This funding from the Government’s €70m Capital Investment Scheme will enable these plants to develop and diversify their processing and marketing of agricultural products following Britain’s exit from the European Union. It will help farmers and those working in food production to attract new markets and new customers in the hope that it will make their businesses sustainable into the future, creating employment locally and protecting our small farms,” concluded Deputy Smyth.

Minister Heather Humpheys also welcomed the allocations: “We all know that our agri-food industry is the life blood of our rural economy. But we also are conscious that the challenges there are causing uncertainty, such as around Brexit and CAP reform."

Senators Joe O'Reilly (FG) and Robbie Gallagher (FF) also expressed their delight at the funding.