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.