NORTHERN IRELAND-
Northern Irish MEP Jim Allister visited to Dunbia meat plant, based at Granville Industrial Estate, Co. Tyrone recently to gain insight into Dunbia’s operations as one of the leading red meat processors in the province and the UK.
Ulster MEP Jim Allister with staff at teh Dunbia meat plant.Mr Allister said he was particularly interested in the recent investment made by Dunbia in acquiring the Stevenson & Co pork processing facility in Co. Antrim, and learned of the developments already made by Dunbia in growing its customer base and increasing employment.
A tour of the Dungannon based retail packing facility allowed Mr Allister to see firsthand the operations within a red meat retail packing environment and how orders are processed, packed and despatched within hours, as well as understanding the large costs incurred by Dunbia.
Mr Allister said: "Dunbia is a major player in the Northern Ireland local Agri-food industry, and an important employer in its own right. I was keen to meet with management in respect of the recent acquisition of Stevenson’s pork factory, which has safeguarded jobs of plant workers, and maintained a future for scores of pig producers.
"We discussed the efforts being taken to maximise returns for local beef, pork and lamb producers as the company deals with the challenges of the current difficult economic climate.
"There will be further challenges for producers and processors alike in the coming days, not least in a number of quite far-reaching legislative changes coming from Brussels.
"It is imperative that the local industry has a level playing field to cope with these new challenges, and in this respect, we must continue to scrutinise the compliance of foreign imports to EU production standards –as is currently the case with Brazilian beef."
The pending environmental legislation around Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) was also discussed and Dunbia expressed the effects such changes would have on small to medium farms and the subsequent impact on farm outputs, especially here in Northern Ireland.