2 Sisters claims its “rescue plan” for the Scottish poultry industry has the potential to increase Scottish poultry processing by 40% in the long term and create several hundred new jobs.
The poultry processing giant announced the plan last month, including the sale of 2 Sisters’ Letham site, and around 200 job losses at its Coupar Angus site in Perth and Kinross.
This morning, following “several meetings with ministers in the past week”, 2 Sisters said: “The good news we can report today is that our rescue plan, if supported by all stakeholders in our supply chain, has the potential to increase Scottish poultry processing by 40% and create several hundred new jobs.”
“Our rescue plan simplifies what has been a historically complex and inefficient operation, supports future Scottish sales growth and lays a strong foundation for potential future investment”
2 Sisters
However, it warned the situation could not be brought about in the immediate term.
“This aspiration will not be achieved without making the necessary changes in our processing plants and our agricultural base, plus the commitment of all interested parties,” the company added.
Consultations with workers at Letham and Coupar Angus continue and 2 Sisters will have held discussions with all of its growers by early next week.
It admitted there would “inevitably be an initial reduction in the number of farmers we require”, but said that would be spread across its growing base.
Selected farms would be chosen based on investment, quality performance and distance to markets and new contracts would be offered to some contract growers in the coming weeks.
“Our rescue plan simplifies what has been a historically complex and inefficient operation, supports future Scottish sales growth and lays a strong foundation for potential future investment.”
When 2 Sisters announced its rescue plan last month, it blamed the difficulties in Scotland on a general decline in the UK poultry market as well as changes to retailers’ promotional strategies and shifts in consumer buying habits.
Last week, the Scottish government announced it would fund a Scottish poultry producers group to help those farmers affected by changes in 2 Sisters’ production requirements, to find alternative routes to market for their chicken.
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