Imports hit Turkey supplier hard

TURKEY producer Brandons has called in the receivers after falling victim to cheap imports.

The firm, based in Scropton, Derbyshire, is the second largest turkey supplier in the UK, dealing with several high-street chains.

It has expanded rapidly, opening operations in North Yorkshire and south Wales and taking annual sales to £100m.

The company was hit hard over the past year when the market became flooded with imported birds which undercut prices.

Joint receiver Stephen Oldfield, of PricewaterhouseCoopers, said he would be holding urgent talks with suppliers and customers to allow trading to continue until a purchaser was found.

"We are aware that 1400 jobs are at stake and we also have 5m turkeys to look after."

Peter Allenson, national secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said the news sent a stark message to government and the industry.