NFU President Peter Kendall said the move would help to safeguard a key supply chain for UK producers and maintain the UK’s processing capacity to meet the growing demand for British sourced food.
2 Sisters, which has not been involved in the red meat sector before, is one of the UK’s largest poultry meat processors, while Vion currently has 11 processing sites across the UK and employs around 6,000 people.
Mr Kendall added: “Since the sale announcement by Vion in November, there has obviously been a degree of uncertainty for farmer suppliers, so this acquisition will come as good news and will help offer some reassurance to farmers across England and Wales.
“The purchase will safeguard a key supply chain for high quality British beef, lamb and poultry and the NFU will be arranging a meeting with 2 Sisters to help build a profitable future for British livestock farmers.“This development will help to maintain and improve the UK’s processing capacity and it is critical, following Tesco’s announcement to source 100 per cent UK fresh chicken by July 2013, that the industry is able to respond to the growing demand for British sourced food. This move will help deliver shorter supply chains and increased traceability, and we hope it will be another step to developing a more sustainable, fairer and transparent supply chain for farmers across England and Wales.”