Plant ‘could jeopardise Tipp horse industry’

A LEADING economist has warned that “uncertainty” over the possible development of an animal byproducts processing plant in south Tipperary could prompt racehorse owners to move their horses away from the Coolmore-owned Ballydoyle facility.

Colm McCarthy of UCD school of economics told a planning hearing yesterday approval for a proposed byproducts development may jeopardise the future of horse training and breeding in south Tipperary, with consequences for local employment and the local economy.

Mr McCarthy was giving evidence to the oral hearing being held by An Bord Pleanála into an application by Green Organics Energy (GOE) Ltd, which has plans to build a bioenergy and biodiesel plant at a site in Castleblake, Rosegreen, halfway between Clonmel and Cashel.