Irish Government Invests €70 Million to Help Food Producers Develop and Diversify Post Brexit
The Irish Government has announced that 22 projects in the meat and dairy sectors across the country will receive funding to enable them to develop and diversify, following Britain’s exit from the European Union. The Government’s €70 million Capital Investment Scheme for the Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products will help farmers and those working in food production to diversify their offering, to attract new markets and customers, making their business more resilient and sustainable into the long-term. The fund will be administered by Enterprise Ireland.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, TD said: “This is a major investment in our agri-food industry which is the lifeblood of Rural Ireland. 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. It will benefit farmers and the wider industry.
“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 into the long-term.
“This €70 million 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. It will also help them prepare for a low carbon future, given our commitments on climate. The 22 successful projects are all over the country.
“Brexit caused huge uncertainty for the sector and is a warning of the dangers of becoming over-reliant on a certain market. Similarly the need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining production levels is another challenge facing our food producers. We need to take action now that embraces new technology, creates new jobs and new business opportunities, protects rural communities and tries to avoid driving up the cost of living. This Fund aims to help food producers make the transition.”
This €70 million investment is part of the €100 million Scheme first announced on 28 December 2020. A further call under the scheme is expected at a later date.
List of successful projects
| 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 |
