Vion Assures Overend That NI Jobs Are Not Under Threat

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, has received assurances that the Cookstown pig processing plant, currently owned by Vion, will continue with its investment project and that jobs are not under threat with new owners coming into place.

Sandra,who is the Ulster Unionist Spokesperson on the economy, said: "Following the news reported yesterday evening that Vion are selling all their UK factories, I made contact to query the situation and this morning I was told that negotiations with the new buyer or buyers are at an advanced stage for the Cookstown factory. Furthermore, I received assurances that jobs in Northern Ireland are not under any threat.

"Money is already in place, following the recent investment from Invest NI to the Cookstown factory, and therefore work will progress to install the new chiller as planned.

"Workers will be pleased to know that 'Cookstown' is well known as one of the most successful factories within the UK, effectively the jewel in the crown of the UK-wide pig processing factory group and that will also be music to the ears of the many pig farmers across Northern Ireland, who supply pigs into this factory.

"It is very much business as usual for 'Cookstown'."

(CD)