Allister Visits Award Winning Companies in the West
15 October 2007
ALLISTER VISITS AWARD WINNING COMPANIES IN THE WEST
Jim Allister MEP was in the West last week, on a constituency visit to Fivemiletown Creamery, and to the Balcas site outside Enniskillen. The purpose of the visit was primarily fact-finding, and an opportunity for businesses to discuss matters of importance with their Member of the European Parliament.
Commenting on his visit to Fivemiletown Creamery, the MEP commented,
“I was deeply impressed with the Management team’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of the Creamery’s operations. This is clearly paying great dividends, in terms of the global reputation which Fivemiletown cheese is achieving.”
“I commend Fivemiletown Creamery for winning 3 major awards at the recent British Cheese Show, not to mention a UK Great Taste Award for 2007, for the much acclaimed Ballyoak smoked cheese product. Interest in the Fivemiletown brand is increasing, while sales have been boosted thanks to several new contracts with major suppliers, both in the UK and further afield.”
“I witnessed at first hand new equipment which has been installed as part of the creamery’s £1.2 million investment package, part-funded under the current Rural Development Processing and Marketing Scheme.”
From Fivemiletown, Mr Allister made his way to visit the Balcas site outside Enniskillen. Balcas represents one of the largest wood products suppliers in the British Isles.
Mr Allister said,
“I was pleased to have had the opportunity to visit Balcas, and discuss with Management some of the issues which are debated extensively at the European Parliament, in particular renewable energy”.
“I commend the Management of Balcas for the innovation they have shown in installing capacity to turn a sawdust by-product into a sustainable energy source, in the form of Brites wood pellets. The demand for this new product is extremely encouraging, and has been greatly boosted by the increasing number of biomass installations as a result of the Reconnect household grant scheme.”
“Discussions were had around issues of future supply of local timber, particularly in light of the low level of afforestation in Northern Ireland. New incentives aimed at encouraging the switch towards renewable heat generation, away from fossil fuels were also discussed.”
ENDS
