Research will support artisan food firms in Northern Ireland

Artisan and smaller food and drink companies in Northern Ireland are to feature in a major research project to support their growth especially outside the region.

The Agri-Food Quest Competence Centre at Queen's University in Belfast has received funding from business development agency Invest Northern Ireland to carry out research into the future development of an important sector in which many smaller companies have won national and international awards.

The project is being supported by smaller enterprises such as Glenarm Shorthorn Beef, Irwin's Bakery, Clandeboye Estate Yogurt and Lough Neagh Eel Fishermen's Co-operative.

Stephane Durand, the competence centre's director, says: "The Agri-Food Quest Competence Centre is an excellent way for our local agri-food companies to work collaboratively with researchers to produce commercial opportunities.

"Working together will be beneficial to the vibrant and diverse local artisan food industry."

Invest NI is providing funding of £88,000 towards the research project to assess the scale and strength of the sector especially in terms of innovation and exports. The centre will also help the sector to identify EU funding opportunities and benefits from involvement in name designation accreditation.

Northern Ireland currently has just three EU designated products - Armagh Bramley Apples, Comber New Season Early Potatoes and Lough Neagh Eels. A proposal to extend the scheme to Northern Irish rapeseed oil is under consideration.

The centre was set up with a mission to grow the £5 billion agri-food Industry in Northern Ireland through research and innovation. It's fundamentally industry-led in that it is committed to working closely with local companies on projects involving the universities that they believe will enhance their competitiveness and/or open new markets.

The centre's role is to make it easier for local food companies, including the small and medium sized business which are the backbone of the industry here, to access the vast knowledge and expertise that is to be found within the two universities.

The centre has pinpointed five themes that it is keen to work with groups of local companies. The themes are Hygiene and Shelf life, Innovative Processing and Packaging, Innovative Products and Concepts, Safety and Traceability and Bi-Products and Sustainability.

The centre's core funding for research projects, £6 million over five years, is being provided by Invest Northern Ireland as part of its support for the industry. Member companies are also backing the initiative with support in-kind. It is also seeking to leverage additional research funding.

Pictured: Stephane Durand, Director, The Agri-Food Quest Competence Centre at QUB

+> k��