After visiting the modern facilities, Minister O'Neill said: "Our poultry industry is an excellent model of a fully integrated operation, providing much needed employment in rural communities throughout the north of Ireland. I am impressed by the investment and commitment by Moy Park, sustaining jobs in the processing plant and on hundreds of farms as well as in many ancillary businesses. As the largest poultry producing company in the north of Ireland, Moy Park and its farmer producers play an extremely important role during these difficult economic times."

Complimenting the company's management and staff on their foresight and dedication to the industry, the Minister continued: "Moy Park is an established company here and everyone is very familiar with the company and their extensive range of quality products. As part of the international Marfrig organisation, it has developed its presence on world markets and we look forward to the continued growth of this business."

Earlier, the Minister also visited a broiler rearing unit supplying the company. She said: "The success of this company owes much to the close relationship with local farmers. They have risen to the challenge to produce top quality birds to the exacting specification demanded by our customers. My Department has a long history of working closely with the poultry industry and we will continue our support through a range of measures."

The Minister was accompanied during her visit by Tony O'Neill, Executive Director of Moy Park Ballymena and Tom McKeown, broiler manager.