‘All plants at risk’

Press, 6 July 1988, Page 1

‘All plants at risk’

PA Wellington A further eight chains at South Island freezing works and five or six chains in the North Island should be closed to make the meat industry efficient, according to the Goodman Fielder Wattie meat division’s manager, Mr Barry Brill. Although Monday’s closings had reduced the national killing capacity, a big over-capacity still remained, he said yesterday. In the South Island eight more chains should be closed immediately. Between 200 and 300 workers

were usually employed on each chain. Asked whether he would favour closing whole plants or just reducing chains at various works, Mr Brill said studies had shown it was more economic to shut a plant completely than simply take a chain out. He did not want to narrow the field by pointing a finger at any plant in particular. “All plants are at risk.”

Announcements on cuts or closings were usually made between the end of the killing season and the opening of the

next season. “You ought to see more closings announced before October,” Mr Brill said. Nelson farmers would benefit from the freezing industry changes announced on Monday, an industry spokesman said. The Primary Producers’ Cooperative Society’s director in Nelson-Marlborough, Mr Tom Russell, said that farmers in the region would gain from the closer relations and reciprocal killing rights with Waitaki International, Ltd.

Moyle’s view, page 3