Job cuts blamed on foot-and-mouth

Cig Cibyn hopes the ban will be lifted later this month

A Gwynedd abattoir says it has been forced to lay off 47 workers because of foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey.

Directors of the Cig Cibyn abattoir in Caernarfon, said they had no choice but to suspend operations until a ban on meat exports is lifted.

They have asked Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones for short-term aid, but said they were told no contingency fund existed for such situations.

Caernarfon AM Alun Ffred Jones said it was a "desperate situation".

Cig Cibyn co-director Sian Pritchard said it had to suspend operations following the export ban imposed after two confirmed foot-and-mouth cases in Surrey.

She said 47 workers were laid off at the plant on Wednesday, and another 17 allied jobs had also been affected.

About 70% of sheep and lamb handled at the abattoir is exported.

It's a desperate situation and a blow to the wider agricultural community Alun Ffred Jones, AM

"We've made the decision to mothball rather than face a situation where the business would face real financial difficulties," she added.

"We've suspended operations for the time being, but we're hoping that the ban on exports will be lifted after the European Commission has met on 23 August."

She said the company had put the case for short-term financial help at a meeting with Ieuan Wyn Jones.

"He was very sympathetic and supportive," she added.

"But he told us that the assembly doesn't have a contingency fund for situations like this."

A 10km zone was set up after confirmed outbreaks in Surrey

Alun Ffred Jones said he hoped an aid package could be organised through the assembly and Gwynedd Council.

He added: "We need to do everything we can to get financial assistance to ensure this company weathers the storm.

"It's a young business and the directors have given everything to the company. I feel for them and for the workforce who've been very loyal to the company.

"It's a desperate situation and a blow to the wider agricultural community."

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said officials were available to offer advice and support. He explained that while the possibility of financial aid was being looked into, any potential help would depend "on the medium term financial viability of the business".

"The issue of lifting the current export ban will be discussed in Brussels next Thursday and the Welsh Assembly Government is fully engaged with the other administrations in preparations for that meeting," he added.