Minister visits Laboratory

Minister Trevor Sargent visits MyPlant Laboratory to see secret development of new plants for the MyPlant range in 2009.

As a keen amateur gardener himself Minister Sargent had more than an official interest in seeing how the MyPlant laboratory was working intensively on future new garden plant varieties and ensuring current MyPlant varieties remained free from pests and diseases. At the MyPlant laboratory no fewer than 17 local Enniscorthy people including plant scientist Dr Abdullah Sayegh are working on plants for shipping to markets all over the world. The Minister personally saw how from the MyPlant laboratory plants are shipped almost every week as far away as Australia, USA, South Africa and Japan as well as to sister company FitzGerald nurseries in Kilkenny who ship to all countries in Europe.

Pat informed the minister “We select and breed our very own varieties here in Ireland and protect them under Breeder’s rights in countries all over the world.” The company employs a consultant, Dr Abdullah Sayegh, who has 30 years experience in plant science, specialising in propagation development of new varieties. He is based at the company laboratory in Enniscorthy. Between both companies a total of 37 people are working propagating plants every day of the week. Pat continues “We are on the verge of something really big and even the Minister is sworn to secrecy. This is an outstanding plant and will blow the top off a lot of those who believe they have seen it all.”

The MyPlant laboratory and FitzGerald Nurseries in Kilkenny have teamed up with Garden Centres nationwide to make available the MyPlant range to Irish plant lovers. Over the coming year many new varieties will be launched through the easy care MyPlant range so watch out in your local garden centres and ask for MyPlant.