New abattoir set for expansion

Cig Cibyn hopes eventually to up production to include beef

An abattoir set up by Caernarfon entrepreneurs is working so well that an expansion is being planned.

Cig Cibyn is based at the site of the former Cwmni Cig Arfon abattoir, where 60 jobs were lost.

The new company wants to increase its 34-strong workforce as they increase production towards 10,000 lambs a week.

Farmers' unions said they support the new venture because it cuts the costs to farmers by decreasing the distances livestock travel to slaughter.

Two abattoirs closed in Gwynedd and Anglesey at the beginning of 2006 with the loss of 160 jobs, leaving just one working abattoir at Gaerwen on Anglesey dealing in lamb.

The new Cig Cibyn opened its doors at the beginning of January after three entrepreneurs drummed up enough interest among farmers.

French market

"We are steadily increasing production," said Sian Pritchard, one of the three company directors.

"We currently employ 34 people, including the three directors, although we hope to employ more as production increases to around 10,000 lambs a week by mid summer."

The company only slaughter beef for private customers at the moment, but hope to expand into that market too later on.

"Around 80% of our lambs go to the French market," she explained.

"We have employed someone with experience of these markets, but even so it takes a while for contacts to be established.

Farmers' unions have welcomed the new development.

NFU Cymru Vice President Ed Bailey, a sheep and cattle farmer from Meirionnydd, said before the company started there had been a lack of processing facilities for farmers in the area for some time.

"In the past few years several north Wales abattoirs have closed leaving farmers out of pocket and having to travel great distances to slaughter their meat," he added.