More than 300 jobs at risk as Co Tyrone retail packing plant to cease operations

Owners ABP said it has entered into a formal consultation process with 338 employees at the site, which is located at the Granville Industrial Estate.

They said in a statement that it was “a very difficult step” but the company was "facing a challenging and changing UK and global marketplace for beef and lamb".

Stream-lining our operations is a necessity to achieve operational efficiencies, maintain our competitiveness and strengthen our business for the long term.

"We are providing support to all colleagues at risk of redundancy within the ABP Linden retail packing facility. This will include exploring opportunities for redeployment or relocation,” the statement said.

“ABP UK remains committed to Northern Ireland’s agrifood sector. We continue to focus on developing future opportunities for the sale of Northern Irish beef and lamb within the UK and further afield. Our long-standing procurement partnerships with Northern Irish farmer suppliers is supported by continued investment in the future sustainability of beef and lamb production in Northern Ireland.”

ABP Linden continues to receive and process cattle and sheep as usual and the jobs at this separate facility, also located within Granville Industrial Estate in Dungannon, are not impacted.

ABP’s Lurgan and Newry sites are not impacted and continue to operate and receive livestock as usual. Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea is also not impacted.

DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP said she is “deeply shocked” and “disappointed” to learn that ABP Linden intends to cease its retail packing operation at Granville.

“This decision will send shockwaves through the local community and beyond. These are skilled, hardworking people with families who depend on this employment, and for them this news will be devastating,” she said.

“Dungannon and the wider Mid-Ulster area has a proud industrial and agri-food heritage. The Linden facility has been a significant employer for decades, and its importance to the local economy cannot be overstated.”

Local Ulster Unionist Party MLA Diane Armstrong said it is “extremely bad news” for hundreds of workers and for “many, many homes across the community”.

"My thoughts are with all those affected and with their families, particularly coming so soon after Christmas, when household finances are already under significant pressure,” she said.

"These are skilled workers who now face enormous uncertainty. For many families, this announcement will cause real anxiety about how they will make ends meet in the weeks and months ahead. There is also the very real prospect that some people may be forced to travel further afield or even relocate to find alternative employment.”

SDLP Dungannon Councillor Karol McQuade has said the loss of over 300 jobs at APB Linden would be "a devastating blow for the local area”.

Councillor McQuade said: “This is really concerning news coming out of APB Linden and my thoughts are with affected staff and their families.

“This is a major employer in this town and job losses on this scale will have a massive impact on Dungannon and the wider area. Not only to the staff, but to the wider economy and local businesses.

“The SDLP will be reaching out to ABP on behalf of staff and will do everything possible to support them through this process.”