08/12/2008

At Least 900 Pig Factory Workers Laid Off

One of Ireland's main unions has revealed that around 900 workers have been laid off at four pig-meat plants in Offaly, Leitrim and Tipperary this morning.

The job cuts are a result of the dioxin contamination scare, which has led to a mass recall of pork products produced before 7 December.

SIPTU says up to 6,000 jobs are at risk in the pig industry following the removal of Irish pork and bacon from sale across the world after traces of Dioxine where found at 200 times the acceptable level.

The union has criticised the stringent measures implemented by the Government and the Food Safety Authority, claiming they were an overreaction as only a minority of pig farms were affected by the contaminated feed.

The cost of the scandal is yet to fully emerge, although reports are suggesting producers were facing a €100 million bill.

The Irish Farmers Association and source of the layoffs, Roscrea Bacon Factory in Co Tipperary, said they were calling on the government for a rescue package to avoid further job cuts.

See: Pig Cull As Food Scare Crisis Probed

(DW)

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