Meat Technology Ireland, a strategic research and innovation base in beef and sheep meat processing in Ireland, was launched by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O Connor TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD.
Speaking at the launch, Mary Mitchell O Connor TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, said, “Innovation 2020, the government’s strategy for research and development, science and technology, recognises the importance of innovation for agri-food sector. Establishing Meat Technology Ireland, through Enterprise Ireland is one of the key initiatives under the Action Plan for Jobs, and will help to build a competitive advantage in the food sector, through investment in research and innovation capability. Its importance is to introduce companies to the expertise in research institutions with the aim of generating innovative technologies leading to job creation.”
Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) is a new industry-led initiative with significant funding from Enterprise Ireland that will create a “one-stop shop” for meat processing research and technology. The launch took place at the Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin.
Creed said, “Meat Technology Ireland has the potential to build on the success of our beef, and sheep sectors. By providing consumer focused research that can best inform processors and farmers, Meat Technology Ireland can be a driver for Ireland’s meat industry as it seeks to meet Food Wise 2025 targets, and mitigate the potential impacts of Brexit”.
CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Julie Sinnamon said, “Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is to support Irish businesses to build scale and expand their reach into international markets and we are delighted to back the establishment of Meat Technology Ireland which will directly support innovation in the agri-food sector and ultimately contribute to export growth. The need for greater levels of innovation among Irish companies as part of their response to Brexit is crucial and the launch of Meat Technology Ireland today is well timed, pooling the innovative talents of all the stakeholders involved to compete internationally offering best in class and further leveraging our strong international reputation in the provision of quality meat products.”
Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc said, “Teagasc is delighted to be working with Enterprise Ireland, industry partners and other academic research organisations, to harness the collective information and research expertise available to the Irish meat industry, and to seek out new knowledge, to create innovative solutions for the commercial sector to exploit, for the betterment of all involved in the livestock sectors in Ireland. Meat Technology Ireland, hosted at Teagasc Ashtown, will serve as a hub to co-ordinate all beef and sheep meat processing research needs.”