Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, has written to Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, and Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, after learning that up to ten people have lost their jobs at Dunbia’s Llanybydder abattoir in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
In his letter, Edwards says: “I write to you to raise concerns regarding job losses at the above abattoir within my constituency. I am advised that up to ten jobs have recently been lost at the plant.
“There is speculation in the industry media that Dawn Meats are at the final stages of a takeover purchase of the Dunbia group which includes the aforementioned abattoir.”
Dunbia is a major employer in Llanybydder and Edwards is concerned that further job cuts will be announced in the near future.
“I am concerned regarding further job losses and the impact this will have on the local economy,” he commented.
“My understanding from speaking to employees at Llanybydder is that, following the takeover, Dawn Meats may centralise the retail department of Llanybydder at their Crosshands plant. The retail department is the most labour intensive section of the abattoir. It is of upmost importance to me that jobs at the plant are safeguarded and kept in Llanybydder.”
Edwards has asked that Griffiths informs him of the implications a possible merger of Dunbia with Dawn Meats could have on food processing in Carmarthenshire and on the Welsh Government food processing strategy.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
