Edeka's meat plant is scheduled to go into operation in 2005

minister dr Backhaus handed over approval decision - investment creates work and improves sales opportunities for local agriculture

"The West Mecklenburg region will soon be richer by 250 new jobs and thus further strengthen its good reputation as a progressive location for the food industry in north-eastern Germany," said the Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dr. Till Backhaus (SPD) in Schwerin handing over an approval notice to representatives of Fleischwerk Edeka Nord GmbH.

When the company will soon put its new NORDfrische Center, a state-of-the-art meat processing plant, into operation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, around 30 apprenticeships will be added to the number of full-time jobs announced at the beginning of the year. With the purchase of the property, which has now been completed, the Valluhn business park on the A 24 near Zarrentin (Ludwigslust district) is now finally set as the location.

As the investors confirmed today, the aim is to start construction as soon as possible, so that the planned commissioning for 2005 can be realised. Edeka will invest around 40 million euros in the meat plant. The project is supported with up to 35 percent of funding from the state, the federal government and the EU from the joint task "Improvement of agricultural structures and coastal protection" and from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF/A).

With a view to the discussions about labor market reforms and future strategies, Dr. Backhaus supported the investors' decision for a location in the new federal states and defended the financial commitment of the public sector. "It's the investments that create and preserve jobs. And especially in the structurally weak countries or regions that are particularly affected by unemployment, employment must still have priority over the administration of the lack of work."

The effects of the Edeka settlement are not only significant in terms of labor market policy, but also structurally in many respects. Minister Backhaus: "The processing and refinement of products brings additional value. If this happens in the country itself, this added value stays here." This would create further income opportunities in the upstream and downstream areas.

"In addition to the future employees in the plant - in new jobs that are urgently needed in the region - our local farms and meat producers can benefit if they use the new opportunity of long-term and secure sales opportunities via Edeka," emphasized the minister. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Edeka is already a major buyer of organic products as well as cattle and pigs that meet the strict criteria of the trading company's "good meat" program.

Source: Schwerin [lm]