ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham has described the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning to the Banagher Chilling meat processing plant as a victory for common sense. “This planning process for this meat plant has dragged on for years now; thankfully common sense has prevailed, and some badly needed competition can hopefully be introduced into the beef sector albeit in a relatively small way,” he said.

“It is extremely frustrating that the planning process has taken so long. There is a real danger that other potential investors could be put off by the lengthy delays experienced by these particular investors. The reality is that this factory could – and should – have been up and running by now. However, we now face the prospect that the original €40m investment may not even be enough to get this project off the ground now given the increase in construction costs.”

“Lessons must be learned from this long running saga. The one thing we know for sure is that competition in the beef sector is badly needed. We simply cannot afford to let opportunities like this one get bogged down and delayed to the point where they may not ever get going.”

ENDS