One of Northern Ireland's biggest agri-food organisations has gained the green light to commence £20million of investment, despite the UK's Brexit uncertainty.
The dairy giant has unveiled a £7m cheese-packing facility in which it said would help boost its sales, as well as bringing 60 new jobs.
The factory’s modern equipment and facilities make it one of the most advanced in Europe.
Dale Farm head, David Dobbin, said the industry wanted a free-trade deal giving access to EU markets.
He said that future investment would depend on trade deals struck up by the UK with the EU
The company owns five plants in total – three in Northern Ireland, one in Cumbria and another in Scotland.
The company has been enjoying increasing sales in the UK - including the production of own-label cheese for supermarkets including Aldi and Sainsbury's.
Much of the cheese is destined for customers in Britain, with the rest serving markets in Europe, the West Indies and the United States.
If a free-trade deal was concluded with the EU, Dale Farm could continue to grow its European business, Mr Dobbin added.
