Minister Killeen Congratulates Contribution Of Clare’s Centra Foodstores To High Standards

Ireland (SANEPR.com) May 23, 2008 -- Minister Killeen was speaking at the Centra Quality Awards 2008 in Galway where seven local Centra stores were among 319 recipients of the Centra Emerald Award.

The award recipients were Crowe’s Centra in Sixmilebridge, Deasy’s Centra in Clarecastle, Jones Centra in Miltown Malbay, Kennedy’s Centra in Lahinch, Michael’s Centra in Kildysart, Roger’s Centra in Scariff and Ryan’s Centra in Ennis

Addressing those in attendance at the awards ceremony, Minister Killeen said, “These awards acknowledge the ongoing year-round daily commitment to promoting excellent standards of food hygiene, safety awareness and quality control and above all customer care. The commitment that Centra stores have demonstrated in achieving these awards shows the high esteem in which you hold your most valuable asset - your customer.”

“It is heartening to see that 75% of items sourced by Musgrave on behalf of its retail partners at Centra, Supervalu, Daybreak and Daytoday was either produced or manufactured in Ireland representing a commitment to Irish suppliers of more than €2.85 billon at retail level”, the Minister added.

He pointed out that maintaining a healthy agri-food sector was an essential component of a successful national and rural development strategy and provided consumers with a range of produce meeting the most exacting standards of safety, value and convenience.

“For its part, the Government has demonstrated its commitment to our most important indigenous industry through the range of supports it is implementing under our Agri-Vision Plan to ensure the further development of a competitive, sustainable, innovative food industry producing quality products for the most discerning of consumers”, Minister Killen stated.

Commenting on the upcoming referendum on the Lisbon Reform Treaty, the Junior Agriculture Minister said, “The Common Agricultural Policy of the EU has played a key role in the development of farming and the food industry in this country since 1973. EU decisions continue to exercise a major influence on the sector. It is vital that Ireland should continue to play a full and positive role in EU decision-making, and this is especially important for the agri-food sector.”

“Ireland has benefited from support under the CAP to the amount of €41billion in the period since its accession up to 2006. Continuing support will further benefit the sector as Ireland is expected to receive in excess of €10bn for the period 2007-2013”, Minister Killeen concluded.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request