24/09/2004

Food sector to receive £5.7m EU funding

Northern Ireland's food processing sector is to receive £5.7 million of EU funding, it has been announced.

The awards, totalling £5.07 million from EU funds and £0.72 million from Invest NI national funds, assist 17 projects submitted by Northern Ireland food companies under the EU Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme.

The scheme is designed to improve the economic performance and international competitiveness of the food processing sector.

Commenting on the awards, Agriculture Minister Ian Pearson said: "I am delighted to announce a fourth round of awards under the EU Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme, which forms part of the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity.

"The projects assessed continue to be of a high quality and the new investment will further enhance the competitiveness of the beneficiaries and their suppliers, increase value to what is produced in Northern Ireland and provide a lasting benefit to primary producers.

"In addition, these projects are estimated to create a further 182 new jobs and should safeguard existing jobs as the project applicants currently employ a cumulative total of 1,777 staff."

Grant aid under the EU Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme is at a rate of up to 40% - comprising 35% from the EU (subject to a maximum of £0.5 million) and five per cent from national funds.

(MB/GMCG)

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