Emerging food companies are being urged to take advantage of the advanced food science skills of Teagasc and other third-level research hubs to road test and develop their products.

Data detailing unexpected falls in production levels across the eurozone’s services and manufacturing sectors in February pulled European markets down for a second consecutive day yesterday.

INTERNATIONAL stock markets enjoyed a rare consecutive day’s rise yesterday as optimism surrounding positive solutions to the eurozone debt crisis being found gathered momentum.

SCOTTISH group William Grant, makers of Glenfiddich whisky, is to offload three liqueurs for €129 million to Campari, five months after acquiring them and Tullamore Dew whiskey from C&C.

Fifty-two jobs are to be cut at drinks manufacturer Britvic in Belfast.

IRISH drinks group C&C has further internationalised its board of directors by announcing the appointment of Brian Stewart as its next chairman, succeeding Tony O’Brien, who is retiring after nearly 30 years with the group.

IRISH drinks group C&C could use its newly cemented strategic agreement with industry giant, Anheuser Busch-InBev (ABI) to boost its Magners cider brand in international markets, over the long-term.

THE ISEQ index fell 63.37 points yesterday to 2,572.98 mirroring the performance of bourses throughout Europe and the US.

JOHN DUNSMORE was chief executive of Scottish & Newcastle until the joint acquisition by Heineken and Carlsberg in April.

A SOFT drinks plant in Cork is to close with the loss of 60 jobs, it was announced yesterday.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares lost 161 points this morning, after a positive start began to reverse yesterday's 300-point fall.

AFTER seven consecutive sessions of large losses for the Irish market, the ISEQ index was up a healthy 307.56 to greet the final bell at 8,563.39.

THE ISEQ gained ground yesterday on the back of strong performances from CRH and C&C.

The Dublin stock exchange saw a modest three-point rise this morning.

The Magners cider brand in Britain has again lifted profits at drinks group C&C.

THE Irish Index closed down for the third consecutive day yesterday despite a strong performance from C&C. The market ended the day down 24.35 at 9,910.36.

The ISEQ gained 38.98 points to 8036.94 this morning as Elan suffered another wobble and the good news continued for C&C.

YESTERDAY was a record breaking day with the ISEQ index hitting 8,112.67, breaking the previous record of 8,096 set in April.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares ended the week on a high note, finishing up 47.02 points to 8092.07 in the wake of a successful summer for drinks and snacks company C&C.

The runaway success of the Magners cider brand in the UK is underpinning a 25% jump in turnover at drink and snacks company C&C.

Poor performances among the financials helped drag the ISEQ index of shares down 47.46 points to 7940.29 this morning.

The ISEQ index of shares flirted with the 7500 mark today as it bounced back from recent losses.

PERNOD RICARD, owners of Irish Distillers, have reported a better than expected 8.4% rise in first-quarter sales.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed down 26.19 points to 5993.47 today.

DRINKS and snack food group C&C could see its profits hit following the takeover by Pernod Ricard of Allied Domecq, whose brands it distributes in Ireland.

IMI’s 2005 conference is designed to ensure the country stays in the top flight of global economic performers in the years ahead.

THE volume of shares traded on the Irish Stock Exchange has tumbled 20% year-on-year, according to figures released yesterday.

C&C is unlikely to make a play for Scottish whisky maker Glenmorangie which has come on the market with a stg£220m plus (€330m) price tag.

BAN ARD Cash and Carry Ltd was wound up by Ms Justice Laffoy in the High Court yesterday when she was told that the petitioning company together with 10 other companies were owed €1.9 million.

SHARES in C&C, the drinks and snack food group, were floated at the lower end of the company's indicative price range.

THE bell tolls for First Active’s short life as a publicly-quoted company tomorrow.