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Hopes abattoir staff can return Staff return to work at abattoir
(about 4 hours later)
A Gwynedd abattoir which said it was forced to lay off 47 workers following the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey hopes to re-employ all its staff. Shifts have restarted at a Gwynedd abattoir, two weeks after 47 workers were laid off with the firm blaming the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey.
Directors of the Cig Cibyn abattoir, in Caernarfon, announced 12 days ago they had been forced to suspend operations until a meat export ban was lifted. Cig Cibyn abattoir in Caernarfon had said operations would be suspended until a meat export ban was lifted.
The ban on exporting UK meat and animal products ended on Saturday.The ban on exporting UK meat and animal products ended on Saturday.
The abattoir said it was still in talks about an aid package with Gwynedd Council. It is not known if all the abattoir staff have returned. Gwynedd Council had been in talks about short-term aid to enable the plant to reopen.
Around 70% of the lamb handled at the Cig Cibyn plant is exported.Around 70% of the lamb handled at the Cig Cibyn plant is exported.
Gwynfor Roberts, co-director of the company, said he did believe the abattoir would be able to trade this week and said his target date was Tuesday. Earlier, Gwynfor Roberts, co-director of the company, had said he believed the abattoir would be able to trade this week and had said his target date was Tuesday.
He added that hoped all the workforce would be re-employed and said: "To be honest, we need to full workforce or none of them. There's no happy medium." He had said he hoped all the workforce would be re-employed, saying: "To be honest, we need to have a full workforce or none of them. There's no happy medium."
We hope to be able to propose support for the company to re-start trading following the lifting of the ban on exports Gwynedd Council spokesmanWe hope to be able to propose support for the company to re-start trading following the lifting of the ban on exports Gwynedd Council spokesman
On 16 August, directors said that they had been left with no choice but to lay off staff following the export ban imposed after two foot-and-mouth cases were confirmed in Surrey.On 16 August, directors said that they had been left with no choice but to lay off staff following the export ban imposed after two foot-and-mouth cases were confirmed in Surrey.
At the time, co-director Sian Pritchard said 47 workers had been laid off at the plant and a further 17 allied jobs had also been affected.At the time, co-director Sian Pritchard said 47 workers had been laid off at the plant and a further 17 allied jobs had also been affected.
She added that they had decided to "mothball" rather than face a situation where the business would face "real financial difficulties".She added that they had decided to "mothball" rather than face a situation where the business would face "real financial difficulties".
They met Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones to discuss financial help.They met Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones to discuss financial help.
Mr Roberts said the firm was still in discussions with Gwynedd Council regarding some kind of aid package.Mr Roberts said the firm was still in discussions with Gwynedd Council regarding some kind of aid package.
An official announcement of the outcome of the talks is expected this week.
Talks ongoingTalks ongoing
A Gwyneth Council spokesman said: "Cig Cibyn Ltd is a valued employer and provides an important service to local food producers.A Gwyneth Council spokesman said: "Cig Cibyn Ltd is a valued employer and provides an important service to local food producers.
"The council has held a series of meetings with the company during the past weeks, and we hope to be able to propose support for the company to re-start trading following the lifting of the ban on exports.""The council has held a series of meetings with the company during the past weeks, and we hope to be able to propose support for the company to re-start trading following the lifting of the ban on exports."
He added that that discussions with the company would continue in the coming days.He added that that discussions with the company would continue in the coming days.
The ban on exporting UK meat and animal products was lifted on Saturday following a decision by the European Commission.The ban on exporting UK meat and animal products was lifted on Saturday following a decision by the European Commission.
Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the re-opening of the EU market for Welsh farm produce, particularly for lamb, would be "vital" to the economic well-being of the Welsh livestock industry.Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the re-opening of the EU market for Welsh farm produce, particularly for lamb, would be "vital" to the economic well-being of the Welsh livestock industry.
General restrictions on animal movements imposed in Wales were lifted last Thursday.General restrictions on animal movements imposed in Wales were lifted last Thursday.