Vion Food to upgrade UK pork processing plant

Vion Food UK plans to invest £11.5m to upgrade its pork processing plant in Cookstown, Northern Ireland to boost the production capacity and improve animal welfare.

The investment will be used to install new equipment and technology at its plant, and Vion will also set up a new improved chilling technology to replace the existing equipment, which was installed when the plant was constructed in 1938.

Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the improvements to the company’s processing facilities will enable it to become more efficient and increase profitability as well as in ensuring that the pigs are treated in the most humane way possible.

"Vion anticipates a significant increase in sales as a result of this investment and will ensure the company continues to play a strategic role in sustaining the important Northern Ireland pork sector," Foster added.

Invest Northern Ireland (NI), the government-funded agency responsible for promoting economic development throughout Northern Ireland, has offered Vion £960,000 for the project.

Vion Food managing director Seamus Carr said the company expects a substantial increase in production and sales as a result of this investment.

"Invest NI’s support has meant we can move forward quickly with the project and ensure the continuing viability of the facility in Cookstown," Carr added.

The plant is the largest pig processing site in Northern Ireland and produces pork, sausages, bacon and cooked meats under the company’s Cookstown brand.

Vion Food is based in the Netherlands and has slaughtering, processing and production companies for pork, lamb, beef and chicken products in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

Image: Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster (right), alongside Vion Foods managing director Seamus Carr, announced the investment to upgrade the pork processing plant at Cookstown, Northern Ireland. Photo: The Northern Ireland Executive