A 'TASKFORCE' set up to support employees affected by the expected closure of the 2 Sisters Food Group is looking at ways to potentially secure the future of the plant.

Last month The 2 Sisters Food Group revealed they wanted to cease operations at their factory in Llangefni on Anglesey. This followed a review of the company's UK poultry division.

Following the decision, the Welsh Government established a 'taskforce'. The first meeting was attended by senior officials from the Welsh Government with representation from Isle of Anglesey Council, UK Government, DWP, 2 Sisters Poultry Ltd and the Unite Union.

Also present were other partners who will be able to advise and inform actions in relation to the wider economic and social impacts of the announcement.

In a statement, Vaughan Gething, Minister for the Economy and Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affair and North Wales, said: "The taskforce collectively reaffirmed its full support for the affected employees and the communities in Anglesey and North Wales following the devastating news.

"All members committed to working at pace, with further meetings taking place regularly over the coming weeks.

"They agreed first and foremost, an objective to investigate new ways to secure the future of the plant and the jobs in Llangefni. In parallel, partners pledged to work together to understand the regional and wider implications of the announcement and to offer all possible support to the workforce."

More than 700 workers could be out of jobs if the closure of 2 Sisters goes ahead. 

In a statement, the 2 Sisters Food Group said: "We need to make operational changes to help us overcome the continuing challenges facing the food manufacturing sector.

"Regrettably, the review shows our Llangefni factory is not sustainable. It is old, one of our smallest sites and lacking space to be efficient. The cost to produce here is higher, and it would require significant investment to bring it up to the standards of our other factories. Our products can be made more efficiently elsewhere across our estate.

In a statement last month, the 2 Sisters Food Group said: "We need to make operational changes to help us overcome the continuing challenges facing the food manufacturing sector.

"Regrettably, the review shows our Llangefni factory is not sustainable. It is old, one of our smallest sites and lacking space to be efficient. The cost to produce here is higher, and it would require significant investment to bring it up to the standards of our other factories. Our products can be made more efficiently elsewhere across our estate.

"Therefore our proposal is to cease operations at the factory, putting the site at risk of closure.

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"Clearly this will be extremely disappointing news for our Llangefni colleagues, and it is no reflection of their continuing hard work and commitment. However, we have a duty to remain competitive and protect our wider business on which many thousands of people depend. 

"Our key priority now is to hold meaningful consultations with all affected employees and their representatives and explore the full range of options before making any final decisions about the closure of the site.

"These options will include all redeployment opportunities in the region with the help of all relevant support agencies, both inside and outside the business."

With its 730 employees, Llangefni is one of the smallest factories in 2 Sisters’ poultry division.

2 Sisters acquired the factory in June 2013 following the UK exit of Dutch protein company Vion.

2 Sisters Food Group Ltd’s latest Companies House published accounts (year to July 31 2021) show a £95.5m loss; and a pre-exceptional loss of £44.9m, from respective losses of £34.3m and £4.6m the previous year (e July 31 2020)