Coughlan reveals €31m agri-research grants aid

GROWING consumer interest in quality foods and healthy lifestyles is reflected in a range of research projects selected for a total of €31 million in grant aid by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

The assistance approved for 57 food research projects brings to €93m the total funding approved for the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

The grants were awarded, following an open call for proposals and an evaluation process by external experts, cover a number of themes.