“The agri-food sector in Northern Ireland employs thousands of people and is one of the only industries offering excellent growth potential whilst many other industries face decline. The Rose Energy project will safeguard the future of the sector whilst providing an answer to the EU Nitrates Directive, and it will also enable Northern Ireland to comply with its renewable energy obligations. The future of our vibrant poultry sector is at risk if a solution is not secured within the next few months. The Rose Energy project is the only viable solution for the industry and we support it as such.”

Jim Nicholson, MEP (UUP)

“The Rose Energy proposal is an innovative way of dealing with two major issues: how to dispose of poultry litter under new environment legislation and how we can contribute to the production of energy from renewable sources. I believe the Rose Energy proposal addresses both these issues in a positive manner, which is why I have written to the Environment Minister indicating my support for the proposal.”

Tom Elliott, MLA (UUP)

“An official application has been made to Brussels, seeking a further extension to the Nitrates' Action Programme that will allow poultry litter to be spread on land for an additional 12 months. But this is only a sticking plaster job. The poultry industry needs long term certainty on the issue of chicken litter and how it can be utilised in the most effective way possible. In my opinion the Rose Energy proposal makes sense from an economic and environmental perspective.”

Ian Paisley Jr., MLA (DUP)

“The poultry industry is a major employer in Northern Ireland, and must be supported. Rose Energy’s proposals are the only effective means I am aware of that allow compliance with EU legislation and safeguard the sector. Unemployment has soared across the province in the last year and we cannot allow the 7,000 jobs attributed to the poultry industry to be lost by failing to support it. The scheme will also create over 300 temporary construction jobs and some 30 permanent jobs, as well as generating much needed renewable energy. It will benefit the NI economy as a whole and I believe the scheme’s win-win nature should be recognised and embraced.”

North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA)

“While we recognise the need for great care to be taken to ensure minimal impact on local residents, on balance we strongly support the Rose Energy proposal for a power station fuelled by poultry litter and meat and bone meal.

“From a veterinary viewpoint, NIVA sees great value in having a safe and bio-secure method of disposal of poultry manure. From a business viewpoint, the project is essential to allow the continuation of production by the local poultry meat sector, which forms a key component of our economy and provides significant employment in both processing and on farms.”

Jim Allister, (TUV)

"This £100m project is a must in safe-guarding the future sustainability of the sector."

Billy Armstrong, MLA (UUP)

"I welcome these proposals...Government must not be seen to let red tape, bureaucracy or interdepartmental turf wars cause this opportunity to be lost."

Graham Furey, UFU President

"With time running out, the Rose Energy project is the only proposal on the table which will safeguard the future of the poultry industry and the farm businesses which depend on the industry for their livlihoods. Against this backdrop, the UFU has decided to support this proposal so the poultry industry can move forward and meet the challenge of these EU Environmental Directives."

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA)

"The future of NI food companies who are European leaders will be at risk should this project not receive approval within the next few months. The NI food industry and the associated jobs depend on a viable solution."

Michael Bell, Director, Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA)

"We are strongly supportive of the Rose Energy proposal. There have been suggestions that this project would potentially threaten our agri-food industry, but in fact it is the very opposite - it would only serve to protect it. Why would the industry propose a solution that would threaten its very existence?
Everything that man does on this earth has an impact on our environment, it is unrealistic to expect otherwise. What is important is that we seek to minimise that impact and make responsible decisions for the future of our industry and our society. This project remains the only viable solution for the industry, and i believe it should be supported as such."

Alderman James Currie, Ballymena Council (UUP)

"If the Northern Ireland Assembly does not fully support Rose Energy's proposals it will result in the demise of our vibrant poultry industry. We are not only talking about the loss of 7,000 jobs for those directly employed by the industry, but many more thousands who would be indirectly affected. With NI being on the periphery of Europe, and in light of the present economic climate - now is not the time to be losing the industry we have, but to make the most of it."

Tom Elliott, MLA (UUP)

"The Nitrates Directive will have a huge impact on the Northern Ireland agri-food industry in the coming years. The intensive agricultural sector, including the poultry enterprise, requires an early resolution. It is vital that this resolution will not only that industry, but will also be a positive contributor to the Northern Ireland economy and environment."

Trevor Clarke, MLA (DUP)

"What must be remembered is that poultry farmers and the associated processing industry sustains thousands of jobs across NI and puts millions of pounds into the industry... there is a strong argument to suggest that dealing with poultry waste in this way could actually help reduce the levels of pollution found in Lough Neagh."