Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin delegation meets meat factory owners to gain assurances for jobs and services in Newry

Published: 16 June, 2009

A Sinn Féin delegation met with representatives from ABP meat factory in Newry regarding its possible relocation from the current site on the

Warrenpoint Road

and the consequences of that to jobs and services to farmers in the local area. The Sinn Féin delegation included MP Conor Murphy, Mickey Brady MLA, and Crossmaglen councillor and farmer Terry Hearty.

Commenting after the meeting Conor Murphy said,

"We asked for a meeting with the owners of ABP in order to seek assurances that should the factory be relocated, it would be in Newry after it was announced that the owners have put forward proposal to change the usage of the site from industrial to business and residential.

"Those present assured us that the factory's future was in the Newry area and that the jobs would be resituated in the area.

"The farming community in South Armagh and South Down have provided ABP with livestock for decades and rely on this facility as part of their livelihood.

"We wanted to be assured that the factory would continue to serve farmers in the area and that local farmers would not have to be forced to travel long distances with their livestock - a situation that is not practicable.

"While I found the meeting to be encouraging, Sinn Féin will continue to pursue this issue to ensure that the commitments we received are acted upon.

"ABP meat factory currently employs 220 people. We are demanding that these jobs are not lost to the people of this area