Global warming which has led to a dramatic decline in grain production worldwide because of bad weather, is already beginning to cost Irish food consumers, writes Seán Mac Connell.
Egg prices have increased by six cent a dozen and poultry producers said yesterday they will be forced to cover increased production costs from the marketplace.
The chicken processing industry supplies the feed to farmer growers and it has been absorbing the cost increases of the past few months.
However, a spokesman for the Irish Poultry Processors Association said yesterday its members would not be able to absorb the increasing cost.
The cost of feed has gone up by €14 a tonne in the last two months and goes up a further €10 per tonne next Monday.
Industry sources indicated yesterday that the prices of bread and confectionary are likely to increase as grain prices have gone up by 50 per cent.
Galway focuses on biotechnology
The development and expansion of Irish biotechnology will dominate a conference at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology taking place on December 16th to 17th.
The BioNet conference at GMIT's new €30 million facility in Galway city aims to provide an opportunity for new partnerships between third-level institutions, scientists and industry on areas such as food biotechnology, bio-informatics and environmental science.
Over 250 delegates are expected, including many from abroad. Attendance is free. Registration details at www.biotechnologyireland.com
Shot fired during Louth robbery
Louth gardaí are investigating an armed raid which took place on Wednesday night in Blackrock.
Two men, one armed with a shotgun and the other with a knife, robbed an amusement arcade just before 11 p.m. They assaulted a member of staff and fired one shot. The raiders were seen getting into a white Renault 19 car which drove towards the Dublin Road.
Gardaí are appealing for assistance in their investigation. They can be contacted on (042) 9322194.
Case against Keane adjourned
A 19-year-old man at the centre of a collapsed murder trial appeared in court yesterday charged in relation to public order offences. Mr Liam Keane, Singland Gardens, Ballysimon, Limerick, appeared before Limerick District Court charged with threatening and abusive behaviour at Merchant's Quay, Limerick, on November 26th last and with failing to comply with a direction of a member of An Garda Síochána on the same date.
Judge Tom O'Donnell adjourned the case to January 6th. Mr Keane walked free from the Central Criminal Court after the case against him collapsed when several prosecution witnesses denied making statements to gardaí identifying him as the killer of 19-year-old Eric Leamy.
