The Ulster Farmers’ Union says it is pleased to see a solution emerging in the poultry industry to meet the requirements of the EU Nitrates Directive and IPPC Directive.

Welcoming the ‘Rose Energy’ announcement, UFU President Kenneth Sharkey said; “This is another example of the local agri-food industry responding positively to new environmental Directives. The poultry industry is a job creator in the local economy and has been an important diversification option for many farming families. The Nitrates and IPPC Directives have imposed very tight restrictions on the industry but this £100 million project aims to turn these new regulations into an opportunity to generate green energy and it should boost the credentials of Northern Ireland produced poultry”.

The UFU says the poultry industry’s commitment to finding a solution to new environmental rules should be fully supported by the Northern Ireland Executive. Kenneth Sharkey said; “The poultry sector is meeting the challenge of EU Regulations head on and is investing heavily to secure the future of an industry which is so important to the local economy. This initiative will help Northern Ireland meet its renewable energy obligations and European environmental regulations, and it will help secure the future of thousands of jobs in the local farming and food processing sector. It deserves the full support of the Northern Ireland Assembly”.