“This news will come as a shock to the workers at this retail packing facility, and my thoughts are with them and their families.”
Over 300 jobs have been put at risk at a retail packing facility in Dungannon.
ABP Linden has announced that 338 jobs are at risk at its Granville Industrial Estate facility as it is due to stop retail packing at it. The company has said that due to “changes in the UK landscape” it is reducing the number of retail packing facilities it has in the UK, which includes Northern Ireland.
As a result it has now started a formal consultation process with those whos jobs aree at risk with the company saying that it will look to redeploy people where possible.
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ABP Linden will still receive and process cattle and sheep at the facility in Dungannon. The AB P’s Lurgan and Newry sites are not impacted and will continue to operate along with Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea.
A spokesperson for ABP said, “This has been a very difficult step. But we are facing a challenging and changing UK and global marketplace for beef and lamb. Stream- lining our operations is a necessity to achieve operational efficiencies, maintain our competitiveness and strengthen our business for the long term.
We are providing support to all colleagues at risk of redundancy within the ABP Linden retail packing facility. This will include exploring opportunities for redeployment or relocation.
ABP UK remains committed to Northern Ireland’s agrifood sector. We continue to focus on developing future opportunities for the sale of Northern Irish beef and lamb within the UK and further afield. Our long-standing procurement partnerships with Northern Irish farmer suppliers is supported by continued investment in the future sustainability of beef and lamb production in Northern Ireland.”
Local representatives have expressed concern regarding the possible job loses and the impact that this will have on the wider community.
Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said: “This news will come as a shock to the workers at this retail packing facility, and my thoughts are with them and their families.
“I would urge the company to do all it can to retain as many jobs as possible, including redeployment. It must also support those workers made redundant with retraining or re-skilling. “I will be engaging with the company in the time ahead and would urge its management to ensure proper communication with employees and trade unions.”
UUP MLA Diane Armstrong said: “I am deeply concerned by the announcement from ABP Foods that 338 redundancies are to be made at its meat retail packing facility in Dungannon.
“This is extremely bad news this evening for hundreds of workers and for many, many homes across our community. My thoughts are with all those affected and with their families, particularly coming so soon after Christmas, when household finances are already under significant pressure.
“These are skilled workers who now face enormous uncertainty. For many families, this announcement will cause real anxiety about how they will make ends meet in the weeks and months ahead. There is also the very real prospect that some people may be forced to travel further afield or even relocate to find alternative employment, which brings additional financial and personal strain.
“The agri-food sector is absolutely vital to our local economy and to Northern Ireland as a whole. It is therefore essential that those affected by this decision receive immediate and practical support. This must include access to emergency assistance, retraining opportunities, and clear pathways into alternative employment where possible.
“I am calling on the Economy Minister to urgently engage with ABP Foods, trade unions, and relevant agencies to ensure that all available support is put in place without delay. Supporting the agri-food sector and maintaining regional balance is a stated priority, and now is the time for that commitment to be demonstrated in real and tangible ways for workers who are facing redundancy.
“This is a very worrying development for the Dungannon and South Tyrone area and I will continue to monitor the situation closely and will do everything possible to support those impacted during this deeply difficult time.”
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