Meat plant tender process fails to find new operator

Tue, 21 Nov 2017

The Government has abandoned plans to bring in a third party to run the Island's meat plant.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture failed to find a private operator that met its criteria in a recent tender process.

As a result, DEFA says it's working to secure the site's longer term future with a new business structure that will improve prices to farmers.

The meat plant needs a Government subvention to operate, which increased to £1.3m last year.

A recent Freedom of Information request revealed more livestock is being taken off Island, while fewer animals are being processed at the meat plant.

The Department plans to make an announcement on the future of the meat plant before the end of the year.