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Welsh Country Foods: 350 Anglesey jobs at risk Welsh Country Foods: 350 Anglesey jobs at risk
(35 minutes later)
A lamb processing business on Anglesey has announced it may be forced to close with the loss of 350 jobs.A lamb processing business on Anglesey has announced it may be forced to close with the loss of 350 jobs.
Welsh Country Foods said it was beginning a 90-day consultation exercise with unions and workers. Welsh Country Foods said it was beginning a 90-day consultation exercise with unions and workers after "key customer" Asda pulled out.
The decision was taken after the Dutch-owned plant lost "key customer" Asda.
The Unite union has pledged to work "strenuously" to see if a new business plan can be produced to save the threatened jobs.The Unite union has pledged to work "strenuously" to see if a new business plan can be produced to save the threatened jobs.
Eindhoven-based food group Vion confirmed supplying Asda represents about 50% of business at its Gaerwen plant. Asda said the decision was not taken lightly but was due to changing needs.
Jose Peralta, managing director of Vion's red meat business, described Friday as "an extremely difficult day for everyone at Welsh Country Foods following the decision by its key customer to de-list Welsh Country Foods as a supplier". Eindhoven-based food group Vion confirmed supplying the supermarket chain represents about 50% of business at its Gaerwen plant.
Jose Peralta, managing director of Vion's red meat business, described Friday as "an extremely difficult day" for everyone at Welsh Country Foods.
He said the company recognised the impact the decision would have on the local economy and the community in Anglesey.He said the company recognised the impact the decision would have on the local economy and the community in Anglesey.
"We are currently in discussions with the retailer to establish if their decision can be overturned and if any steps can be taken to mitigate their decision," he said."We are currently in discussions with the retailer to establish if their decision can be overturned and if any steps can be taken to mitigate their decision," he said.
Welsh Country Foods employs almost 350 staff, and is the major processing facility for Welsh lamb in north Wales, handling 640,000 lambs a year.Welsh Country Foods employs almost 350 staff, and is the major processing facility for Welsh lamb in north Wales, handling 640,000 lambs a year.
Vion took over from Grampian Foods in 2008, when the plant employed nearly 600 workers.Vion took over from Grampian Foods in 2008, when the plant employed nearly 600 workers.
Unite said the plant's main customer Asda had found an alternative supplier and the announcement was "desperately sad". In a statement, Asda said it was serving notice on Welsh Country Foods after a "strategic review of our lamb business".
"This decision has not been taken lightly however we feel it is an opportune time to review our lamb sourcing to meet the changing needs of our customers.
"We have built a strong relationship with Welsh lamb farmers and we remain committed to sourcing lamb from the country."
Unite said the announcement was "desperately sad".
'Immediate priority''Immediate priority'
Andy Richards, Unite Wales secretary said: "The news that Vion could shut its Welsh Country Foods site on Anglesey is a blow to those who work there, the local community and the economy of the island.Andy Richards, Unite Wales secretary said: "The news that Vion could shut its Welsh Country Foods site on Anglesey is a blow to those who work there, the local community and the economy of the island.
"This is a sad start to 2013 for our members and we will be doing all we can to ensure both support and a viable future for Welsh workers at Welsh Country Foods."This is a sad start to 2013 for our members and we will be doing all we can to ensure both support and a viable future for Welsh workers at Welsh Country Foods.
"We need investment, not cuts to jobs in Wales and I will be raising this matter urgently with the Welsh government.""We need investment, not cuts to jobs in Wales and I will be raising this matter urgently with the Welsh government."
Dai Davies, chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales, said he hopes a solution can be found to save the jobs.Dai Davies, chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales, said he hopes a solution can be found to save the jobs.
"It is the last remaining major abattoir in north Wales, and as such plays a vital strategic role in serving farmers in the region.""It is the last remaining major abattoir in north Wales, and as such plays a vital strategic role in serving farmers in the region."
He said if the plant closed it would be a "hammer blow" to the entire food and farming industry in Wales.He said if the plant closed it would be a "hammer blow" to the entire food and farming industry in Wales.
"We will not only lose hundreds of jobs but we will also lose the facilities provided by the plant itself - which include slaughtering, boning and retail packaging which all add value to the final product.""We will not only lose hundreds of jobs but we will also lose the facilities provided by the plant itself - which include slaughtering, boning and retail packaging which all add value to the final product."
Local assembly member Ieuan Wyn Jones said he would be raising the matter with the Welsh government.Local assembly member Ieuan Wyn Jones said he would be raising the matter with the Welsh government.
"We must do everything we can to try to keep these jobs, and our immediate priority is to try to sell the business as a going concern.""We must do everything we can to try to keep these jobs, and our immediate priority is to try to sell the business as a going concern."
Mr Jones said he would also be meeting faming unions on the island.Mr Jones said he would also be meeting faming unions on the island.
"The potential loss of this abattoir will be devastating for local farmers in north west Wales... this may well have an impact on prices as competition will be reduces," he added."The potential loss of this abattoir will be devastating for local farmers in north west Wales... this may well have an impact on prices as competition will be reduces," he added.