This article is from page 33 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
EAST Clare’s potential as a centre for horticulture was given a further boost this week with the news that Tuamgraney company, Glenbrook Nursery Ltd was to receive funding under the Government’s National Development Plan (2007-2013).
The Raheen company, which 1s op- erated by Philip Moreau, will receive some €15,000 to invest in the pro- duction of nursery crops.
This is the latest in a line of good news stories for the company, having last year put up a great showing at the annual National Amenity Horti- CHUN AU oma Ne BKC he
The awards are run by Horticulture
Ireland and Bord Bia.
Glenbrook Nursery was the only Clare company to pick up an award in the award’s Nursery Quality Pro- eramme.
This voluntary quality assurance scheme is designed to assist Irish nurseries reach best practice in com- mercial nursery crop production and management systems. It sets out a code of practice for the efficient run- ning of a nursery business and pro- vides a standard against which nurs- ery businesses are evaluated.
Commenting on last week grant allocation, Clare Minister of State, Tony Killeen, said the Grant Scheme for the Development of the Horti- culture Sector continued to provide
wonderful opportunities for Clare crop producers to make on-farm in- vestments.
“Since 2000, there has been a year on year increase in the level of inter- est in the scheme, which reflects the high degree of confidence among Clare’s producers in the future of the Sector,’ he said.
“I would encourage shoppers to support local producers who are striving to meet the highest stand- ards. By supporting them we are making an investment in our own community.
“IT would also like to compliment the two local applicants who have been successful in the grant scheme announced by my colleague Mr
Trevor Sargent TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special re- sponsibility for horticulture.”
The grant aid provided under the scheme covers all areas of the horti- cultural production sector, including mushrooms, protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruits, soft apples and even bee-keeping.
Horticultural output in Ireland is now valued at over €300 million and retail sales are an estimated €650 nSpON BONER
There was also celebrations in north Clare this week as a grower of protected crops in Belharbour was granted some €7,000 under the scheme.