Poultry industry is worth £120m to local economy

The poultry industry in Northern Ireland is making a major contribution to the local economy with figures revealing that last year the industry was worth £120m. According to Brid Rodgers, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, who, in a speech to delegates at the Northern Ireland Poultry Industry Conference at Loughry College, congratulated the industry on its high level of integration and its willingness to embrace new technology.

The poultry industry in 2000 accounted for 11 per cent of agricultural output, and currently employs 5,000 people.

She said: "In an increasingly competitive market place I know that the way ahead will not be easy. There will be challenges for those involved in producing table eggs who will have to grapple with the new welfare arrangements for laying hens.

“In addition the IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) Directive will be a further challenge for larger businesses with over 40,000 poultry places.

"There is also mounting pressure from consumers to ensure that bio security is maintained at the highest level so that incidence of micro organisms such as Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry meat and eggs is minimised. My Department's Veterinary Science Division is working closely with the industry and other agencies to eradicate these problems."

Paying tribute to the work of the Poultry Industry Education Trust she added: "I am aware of the excellent work which the PIET is doing in developing and encouraging people of high calibre to enter the poultry industry. The provision by the Trust of education and travel grants, to enable students to gain experience in working abroad, is particularly commendable.”

Earlier the Minister was welcomed to Loughry by Bob McCracken Chief Veterinary Officer DARD, and introduced to some of the 150 delegates attending Tuesday’s conference. (MB)