News

15 - July - 2008Assurances at the Abattoir

Prime lamb producers on Anglesey now fully realise the vital importance of having a modern high throughput abattoir on their doorstep, after NFU Cymru Anglesey members recently visited Welsh Country Food’s Abattoir and cutting plant at Gaerwen.

Llewellyn M Jones, Anglesey NFU Cymru County Chairman said, “We were pleased to have the opportunity to see the slaughter line and the cutting plant in operation.  Indeed we were assured that any farmer wishing to see his lamb carcasses on the line is able to do so.”

Members present, raised the issue of carcass weight, local procurement and lamb grading with the newly appointed Head of Procurement, Prys Morgan.

Llewellyn M Jones added, “We were given assurances that the company are looking at the issue of paying to the nearest 100 grams (currently 500 grams) and strengthening further the policy of local sourcing of lamb (including an earlier start date for slaughtering new season lambs).  Also in the pipeline are trials on the video analysis of carcasses to determine meat yield. Now that the parent company Grampian is about to be taken over by VION UK we hope that this will strengthen further the position of the abattoir and cutting plant at Gaerwen.  It is extremely important not only to the sheep farmers of the area but to the island’s economy and employment.”
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