The leader of Perth and Kinross Council has expressed deep disappointment at a chicken processor’s decision to axe 230 jobs at its site in Coupar Angus.
The 2 Sisters Food Group expects half the posts to go through voluntary redundancies.
It had originally said in November when it revealed its restructuring plans for the loss-making facility that up to 260 jobs could go from a 651-strong workforce.
But there still remains considerable doubts about the future of north and north-east chicken farmers supplying the site, where weekly throughput will fall by 225,000 chickens to 525,000 once new shift patterns are introduced.
Council leader Councillor Ian Miller said it was a blow for Coupar Angus.
“I’m really disappointed,” he said. “The main focus now is on seeing what we can do for those that will lose their jobs. There’s a concerted effort by the council, the Scottish Government and the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) to do all that we can to help. On Tuesday we’ll be in Coupar Angus at the site discussing the situation with those affected and highlighting opportunities.”
The firm said 78% of staff had voted in favour of new terms and conditions and shift patterns at the plant. These are expected to start on February 16.
It added: “All employees have been offered the opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy.
“Individual consultation is under way with the affected workforce. We are working with Pace (the Partnership for Continuing Employment) to support those who are leaving the company.”
The Scottish Government said it too was disappointment at the scale of the jobs losses.
It said it had been in regular contact with the firm since it announced the restructuring. The government hoped its recently published poultry action plan would secure a long-term future for the sector and help develop it.
“We will use this plan to try and boost the amount of Scottish chicken that is produced and brought to market with the objective of boosting employment in the sector,” it added.
But farmers supplying Coupar Angus still largely remain in the dark about their future.
They have in recent weeks presented their own vision to the firm on how it should be sourcing chicken so that as many farmers as possible across Scotland can still rear them, as opposed to the firm’s vision to restrict contracts to those nearest the factory.
But the firm has not yet responded to the ideas, which would involve growers paying a slightly higher haulage cost in return for them being given greater flexibility in the way they feed and raise their birds. They currently have to buy feed from 2 Agriculture, which is linked to 2 Sisters.
The Press and Journal twice asked 2 Sisters about its discussions with the farmers, but the firm failed to respond.