Northern Irish Abernethy Butter celebrated for contribution to growing UK economy


Abernethy Butter, Northern Ireland's award winning handcrafted butter producer, has been heralded by the UK Government for its contribution to the economy.



The company, based on a family farm at Dromara in county Down, was among 50 of the country's most promising food and drink entrepreneurs recognised as Food Stars for their contribution to the UK's growing economy.



The 50 Food Stars were carefully selected from hundreds of award-winning businesses across the UK. Abernethy Butter was the only business from Northern Ireland at the event.



Abernethy Butter will receive a package of continued support from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and Cranfield University over the next year. This includes a tailored information service and access to a range of events and development opportunities in agriculture and food, the environment, management and leadership.



The revival of UK food and drink has seen a new generation of entrepreneurs emerge, whose innovative ideas and can-do attitude are creating jobs in local communities and contributing to the record £103 billion generated by the food chain last year.



Leading figures in retail and food--including Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury's, and Dame Fiona Kendrick, CEO of Nestle UK and Ireland--launched the Food Stars scheme to help the winners grow their businesses and get more of their produce on supermarket shelves and dinner tables in the UK and across the world.



The first initiative of its kind, Food Stars is part of a wider government drive to inspire entrepreneurial activity across the UK as part of a long-term economic plan.



Launching the Food Stars network, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "We are a nation of firsts; we invented self-raising flour and introduced the first modern chocolate bar. As a country we've always been a place where sparky entrepreneurs come up with great innovations in food and drink, people with the ambition to grow and take on the world.



"Now is the time to celebrate that success which is helping grow our economy - that is why we've created Food Stars to recognise the bright innovators of today and support them to become the major players of tomorrow.



"From chutney made from fruit and veg that would otherwise be thrown away, to chorizo made from British pigs in Yorkshire, our 50 Food Stars truly represent the best of British and demonstrate the creativity and determination in which this country takes pride.



"Our Food Stars show if you want to see a vision for Britain's bright economic future, look no further than the UK's food and drink industry."



Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Priti Patel, said: "These are exciting times for the UK food and drink industry, as British brands have never been stronger worldwide. Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to create some world-class products that will compete on an international level and create jobs and growth for the UK in the process.



"Food and farming remains the biggest manufacturing sector in Britain, employing 1 in 8 people. There is no better time to join the growing number of innovators in food and drink - in 2013 entrepreneurs set up 30,000 new food and drink businesses generating thousands of jobs in the sector.



"The industry's continual innovation is bringing 16,000 new products to the market each year--more than France and Germany combined. Our Food Stars are helping to grow this sector even further.



"Exports of UK food and drink are also booming with almost £19 billion worth shipped to more than 150 countries in 2013. Since 2010 the UK government has opened more than 600 new international markets supporting more businesses to sell their produce abroad."