A PIG factory in Co Leitrim is facing closure with the loss of 80 jobs. Western Meat Producers, based in Dromad, failed to operate to EU standards and was told by the Department of Agriculture that its licence for boning, cutting, and export would be withdrawn from yesterday.
An EU inspection of the company took place in 1993 and the factory was told to improve its operating standards. Two years later, there was a second EU inspection and the company was again warned to upgrade. Two weeks ago, under EU regulations, an instruction was issued through the Department that the licence was to be withdrawn.
Local Fine Gael Senator Gerry Reynolds contacted the Minister for Agriculture yesterday. "The Minister gave a verbal commitment to extend the licence until the end of May", Mr Reynolds said yesterday.
The company, run by the Lyons family since 1930, said it was looking for an extension to allow for negotiations with Goodman International over the title.