THE north's biggest employer Moy Park has given its firmest backing yet to the 'Remain' camp ahead of next week's EU referendum.
The company - which employs hundreds of European workers - has already come out in favour of the UK voting to remain.
And yesterday its chief executive Janet McCollum went further, saying there are "compelling reasons" to stay.
Among her chief fears for the billion-dollar turnover company - if a Brexit should become a reality - were increased tariffs and limited export opportunities.
"We are a European business and Europe is our market, so we are strongly in favour of the UK remaining within the EU," she said.
"Remaining gives businesses greater certainty about the future. Within the EU, we have open access to 27 markets and 500 million consumers.
"In the event of a Brexit, no-one has been able to guarantee our continued access to those markets.
"Any move away from the free market in which we currently operate could increase tariffs, add administrative burdens and limit export opportunities."
She cited uncertainties around market access, access to labour, cross-border trade and the potential impact on the farming community as reasons to stay.
“The EU has imperfections, but it is a massive market which offers export security and it is our view that the UK should remain within it,” Ms McCollum added.
One of the UK and Europe's leading agri-food companies, employing 12,000 people Northern Ireland, England, France, Holland and the Republic, Moy Park is among the majority of businesses in the north which wants to stay in Europe.
In an Irish News survey of local businesses taken in March, it was among 90 per cent in favour of remaining, along with other major supporters like Norbrook, Beanchor, the Henderson Group, Lisney, KP Snacks, Dunbia and the Lava Group,
Some companies cited concerns but still opted to stay with the 'devil they know', while others choose to keep their views to themselves.
Wrightbus was the only company to publicly back the Brexit stance.
It has been a contentious issue in the workplace, with Bombardier finding itself facing criticism recently after telling staff it was "better for our company that the UK remains within the EU".
The firm's Belfast vice-president Michael Ryan wrote in a letter to staff that the European debate was "very emotional" but Europe had been good to the company in terms of investment, air travel and giving free movement of goods.
He said by clarifying the company's position it would "help" employees make "an informed decision on this very important issue".
