Vion is drawing up shortlist of potential buyers
Vion is in the process of drawing up a shortlist of potential buyers for its UK red meat, poultry and pig businesses.
Following the announcement last week that the company’s 38 meat processing sites are up for sale, a Vion spokesman said the company had received a large number of serious enquiries and was in the process of drawing up a shortlist of bidders.
“It is our intention to reach as swift a conclusion as possible to the sale process and we are on track to achieve that. Our aim is to ensure a seamless, positive transition for our staff, our suppliers and our customers,” the spokesman said.
“While we are taking nothing for granted, we are very pleased with the substantial progress we have achieved so far and expect to be in a position to make a further announcement in the near future.”
As Farmers Weekly went to press (Wednesday 28 November), the identity of any future buyers for the company remained unknown.
Farmer concern over the future of Vion processing sites has been highlighted in a Farmers Weekly poll of more than 700 farmers – more than two-thirds said they were concerned about the company’s exit from the UK market.
Meat levy bodies also expressed concern over the news – Hybu Cig Cymru said it was concerned that any potential closure of Vion’s Welsh plants could lead to animals being slaughtered in England and levy money going to EBLEX instead.
Vion’s Welsh plants account for 40% of HCC’s beef and sheep levy income.
Vote in the online poll about Vion’s exit from the UK market