2 Sisters Llangefni: Anglesey MS hits out at ‘heart-breaking’ decision to plough ahead with closure of factory

A Senedd Member has hit out after it was revealed that The 2 Sisters Group intends to plough on with plans to close its poultry factory on Anglesey.

The company announced its intention to close the facility in Llangefni last month, putting 730 jobs at risk.

The firm said the facility was “old” and would require significant investment to keep running after launching a consultation on the proposals

Politicians and union representatives reacted to the news with shock and dismay, with the issue addressed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the House of Commons.

A task force was set up in the wake of the announcement to support staff at the factory and to try and find a way to keep it running.

However, the Welsh Government said the group had been told that 2 Sisters now intends to move to the next stage of the process, which will result in the closure of the facility.

Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth described the development as “heart-breaking”.

The Plaid Cymru politician said: “The statement from Welsh Government today confirms what became clear at the task force meeting a week ago, namely that 2 Sisters are not prepared to consider any option for saving their site in Llangefni.

“It’s heart-breaking for everyone who works there and their families, and I think of them more than anyone.

“I can assure you that there is a determination to do everything possible to help them, to find employment of course, but also to cope with this blow in a time of hardship and during a cost of living crisis.

“I will be ready to help in any way of course, to be a voice for the work and the community and to ensure that the need for a significant response remains at the top of the agenda.”

In a joint statement, Vaughan Gething, Minister for the Economy, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, also expressed their disappointment at the news.

They said: “Further to our written statement of 3 February, the task force’s leadership group met for the second time last Friday, 17 February.

“It was disappointing to hear from the company that the first stage consultation had not brought forward any viable plans for 2 Sisters Ltd to maintain their site in Llangefni, and the company is now moving ahead with plans to cease production.

“The task force’s operational group is meeting on a weekly basis and involves a wide range of partner organisations and agencies.

“Their primary focus remains identifying and co-ordinating as much assistance as possible to support the workers impacted as a result of the closure, both in terms of securing future employment and their wellbeing.

“The task force was unanimous in its support for early and proactive engagement with the owner of the site in order to secure its future as a key employment site for Llangefni and the wider area.

“The Welsh Government will continue to work with the UK Government, Anglesey Council, trades unions and other stakeholders to support the individuals and the local community.”

A 2 Sisters spokesman said: “We continue our positive engagement with the Llangefni taskforce group and our central focus at this stage is to partner with all agencies to support colleagues and explore every avenue in helping them now and after the consultation period.”