7 February 2000

MINISTERS MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF MALTON FOODS

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, and his counterpart in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Brid Rodgers, MLA, this morning met Max Hilliard, Managing Director of Malton Bacon Factory (Foods).

Discussion centred around the closure of the company’s Enniskillen plant and the resultant redundancies. The general position of the Northern Ireland pig industry was also discussed. 

Speaking after the meeting, Sir Reg said: "The redundancies in Enniskillen are very regrettable and I am trying to make sure that everything possible is being done to ease the impact.  

"Last week I met a delegation from Fermanagh District Council, led by Sam Foster and together we examined all the difficulties posed for each section of the local community.

"We discussed the establishment of a local Task Force to address the knock - on affect of the closure and I have suggested that as a matter of urgency the first item on its agenda should be to carry out a skills audit in the Fermanagh area. The results will give an indication as to what skills are lacking locally and how this might be addressed.  

"In addition, the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment is currently involved with the company and the workforce looking at the options for retraining and re - employment. 

"I can also confirm that Malton is examining the options for new investment to sustain its business in the medium term in Northern Ireland. We discussed the current crisis in the pig industry and in particular the lack of confidence in pig production," he said.

Mr Hilliard outlined the difficulties currently facing UK pig farmers. He said the strength of sterling and higher production costs, unique to the UK, have caused losses in excess of £10 per pig for over 20 months.

Sir Reg said: "Mrs Rodgers and I both believe that the pig industry has a future. We have made it clear that our Departments stand ready to assist in any way. However, we recognise the difficulties facing the entire sector at this time."