66 enterprises share €16m marketing and processing fund

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith recently announced grant aid of €16.7 million for 66 enterprises, from his department’s Marketing and Processing Scheme.

It is expected to contribute to investment of about €70 million across the horticulture, livestock marts and small meat sectors.

Awards of just over €45 million were made from the 2000 to 2006 Marketing and Processing Scheme, and a recent government review indicated that the scheme has provided value for money in the delivery of its objectives, but called for a greater focus on product innovation.

Grant-aided enterprises in Munster are as follows:

Cork Marts Fermoy €396,462

Golden Vale Co-Op Mart Kilmallock €48,384

Kerry Listowel Livestock Mart Ltd €98,193

Marglann an Daingin Teoranta €218,771

Kenmare Livestock Mart Co-Op €23,720

Mid-Tipperary Co-Op Mart €231,222

Central Auction Services Co-Op Roscrea €147,674

Central Auction Services Co-Op Nenagh €115,791

Gubbeen Farmhouse Products, Schull €49,968

Skeaghanore Fresh Farm Duck, Ballydehob €248,653

Hodgins Sausage Ltd Mitchelstown €331,935

Finns Meats Mitchelstown €178,844

Jack McCarthy Ltd Craft Butchers Kanturk €99,893

PLM Foods, Killarney €167,619

Ashgrove Meats, Newcastle West €44,760

Darcy Meats Nenagh €219,806

Con Traas Ltd Cahir €109,495

Meadowfresh Foods Tallow, Co Waterford €317,515.