Risk of abattoir closures due to NI farm vets strike action

Abattoirs in Northern Ireland could be forced to close next week, causing significant disruption across the supply chain, due to planned strikes by vets.

Five days of strike action by union members in the veterinary sector protesting about pay concerns and disparities is due to begin on Monday 30 October.

The strike is expected to impact border checks and potentially halt slaughterings across all livestock sectors.

See also: Northern Irish farmers to have a say on government funding

Robert Huey, Daera chief veterinary officer, wrote to industry stakeholders warning of significant disruption to veterinary services including to sanitary and phytosanitary inspection facilities, meat plants and field operations.

Mr Huey said: “If there is no resolution to the current pay dispute, the industrial action is likely to present issues in relation to animal health and welfare, public health and continuity of agri-food supply chains.”

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has also raised its concerns and has outlined three major impacts on industry from the proposed strike action:

• Concerns for animal welfare and backlogs of pigs building up on farms
• Issues with livestock growing too large and becoming out of retailers’ specifications
• The long period of time it will take the sector to recover afterwards due to the loss of five killing days

BMPA chief executive Nick Allen said: “It will mean that meat plants will have to cease operations, causing loss of income for those businesses, and disrupting food supply chains.

“This is a particular worry as we enter the busiest period of the year in the run up to Christmas, when our members are preparing festive products like hams and pigs-in-blankets for the Christmas market.”