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Investment marks a huge step in delivering the milk expansion agenda set out in Food Harvest 2020

Speaking today at the announcement of a major investment by Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Limited in creating the largest dairy dedicated dairy powder facility in Ireland at Belview near Waterford port, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney T.D. said "This project is another critical milestone in realising the tremendous potential for dairy expansion, which is a cornerstone of the Food Harvest 2020 Strategy. Step by step, and with a strong collaboration between Government and industry, the strategic vision for the sector is being delivered. Delivery has been supported by coherent Government action to improve efficiency and reduce costs at farm level, to optimise the fantastic green image of Ireland’s sustainable production methods in the market place, to provide critical assistance for the development of new products that will add value to top class Irish raw materials, and to improve competitiveness at processing level".

"This project will ensure that a key part of the infrastructure necessary to support a dramatic expansion in milk production is in place when milk quotas are abolished in 2015. It has Government support and is a vote of confidence in the resilience and capacity of the Irish dairy sector which has built up an export track record in markets worldwide".

The Minister congratulated the dairy producers and shareholders in Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Limited for committing to expansion through careful planning of investment and for focusing on value-added outputs. The investment announced today will generate benefits across the food industry and the whole economy. It will generate in excess of 1,600 direct and indirect jobs.

Minister Coveney complemented Enterprise Ireland (EI) and pointed to the strong working relationship between his Department and EI in helping advance the 2020 Strategy. He concluded by saying that the Government will continue to support the development of a strong dairy sector which is integral to the recovery of our economy in terms of added value, employment and export growth.