730 jobs under threat at Welsh poultry plant

Poultry processor 2 Sisters Food Group has announced plans to close its plant on Anglesey, putting 730 jobs at risk.

A statement by the processor said the Llangefni site was old and required significant investment to bring it up to the standard of the company’s other sites.

A recent company review suggested the site, built in the 1960s, was unsustainable and pointed to its age, poor transport links and a lack of space.

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More acutely, running costs have risen sharply in the current economic climate, hitting profitability.  

The company’s chief executive, Ronald Kers, said staff would be consulted before a final decision on the closure was taken and pledged to try to find alternative work for as many workers as possible.

This would likely be at sites in Wales, including Sandycroft in Flintshire and Rogerstone, Newport.

But Mr Kers said the outlook was bleak and he could not rule out making redundancies.

Farmers’ Union of Wales chief executive Guto Bebb described the closure as a blow for the local community, the economy and for food processing in Wales.

“We are naturally concerned about the impact this will have on our food supply chains as we are losing another food processing site in Wales,” Mr Bebb said.

“This will have consequences with regard to limiting food miles and sustainability and urgent action is required to address the lack of food processing facilities in Wales.”