A £46 million Agri-Food Investment Initiative has been unveiled by Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy, aiming to support local agri-food processors.
The initiative will look to support the agri-food sector by providing investment in areas such as machinery and equipment, computer software and the buying of patents, licences, copyrights and trademarks.
Invest Northern Ireland said the initiative would support Northern Ireland food processors from small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to large agri-food businesses that process Annex I products.
The initiative is open to businesses operating within a number of sectors, including meat processing (beef, sheep, pig and poultry), animal feed and dairy to name a few.
Minister Conor Murphy said: “Agri-food processing makes a significant contribution to local communities throughout the region, and especially to rural communities. By targeting support to this sector, this scheme will promote regional balance. The capital investment will help companies adopt greener technologies, and so contribute to our net zero targets. Importantly, the scheme also aims to increase the sector’s productivity.”
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) highlighted that the launch was a “positive development” for industry.
William Irvine, president of UFU, said: “Designed by Invest Northern Ireland, this new scheme which will run until 31st December 2025 will provide support to local businesses developing productivity, encouraging innovation and improving the competitiveness of the agri-food and drink industry.”
He said that the initiative would put Northern Ireland on a “more level footing” with competitors in the Republic of Ireland and Britain and stated it would have “positive knock-on effects” for rural communitis and the farming industry.
Irvine continued: “Our local agri-food and drink industry is Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturer, supports approximately 113,000 jobs and feeds some 10 million people across the globe. The success of which is built upon our food producers including our farmers, who produce nutritious food to the highest environmental, animal health and welfare, and food safety standards.”
CEO of Invest Northern Ireland, Kieran Donoghue, said: “The initiative is now open to applications from all eligible agri-food and drink processors in Northern Ireland, and I encourage businesses in the sector to avail of this significant opportunity to invest for future growth.”
More information, including where to apply, can be found here.
