Turkey processor sheds 400 jobs

The factory will remain open as a packing facility

Cranberry Foods is shedding staff at the factory, while creating 140 posts at another plant in Derbyshire.

The company, the UK's second largest turkey producer, said it took the decision following a business review.

The company said: "The net job loss is an unfortunate consequence of the global food industry which now exists".

Workers at the Abergavenny plant were warned in January of the threat to their jobs when the 90-day consultation period began.

Joint managing director, Andrew Lewins, said during the business review that the company had looked "at all facets that might have impacted the situation and the review has now concluded this is the most appropriate way forward".

Staff at the Wales plant would be offered the chance to fill some of the 149 jobs at the company's plant in Holly Bank, Derbyshire.

Cranberry Foods has blamed the job losses on lower demand for UK turkey meat in the face of cheaper foreign imports.

Mr Lewis said it would "undoubtedly be a very sad and worrying time for those colleagues who have lost their jobs".

But he said the company's was "well positioned to be competitive and successful in today's market".

Cranberry's Abergavenny plant will retain 120 staff and will operate as a packing facility producing packs of meat for high street retailers.

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Source: BBC News

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