Mowi Ireland closes secondary processing unit

Salmon giant Mowi has closed a processing unit at its Irish headquarters in Donegal, with the loss of 33 jobs.

The redundancy programme, which was announced with a consultation programme in May this year, affects the secondary processing unit at the facility. Mowi has now ceased secondary processing in Ireland, with fillets and portions now being dealt with in other locations, but primary processing continues.

Mowi told Fish Farmer: “The closure of this unit will allow customers to purchase fillets and portions from our Mowi secondary plants in Europe, which are closer to major markets. This decision will only impact customers who currently purchase fillets or portions (fresh or frozen) and will not impact those customers who purchase HOG [head one gutted] fresh Irish Organic salmon, as the primary processing section of the plant will remain operational. The closure has no impact on our Irish Organic freshwater or marine operations which continue to produce at full capacity.”

The Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) has been on-site at Mowi’s Irish headquarters in Fanad in recent weeks to provide training and career advice to staff impacted by the redundancy announcement.

Redundancy takes effect as of today. Redeployment options had been offered to staff who worked in secondary production, to other aspects of operations within the company’s Donegal headquarters.

Mowi stated: “Mowi Ireland intends to grow other aspects of its operations in Ireland later in the year and the overall business outlook remains positive and healthy.

“Mowi Ireland would like to put on record its gratitude to all its staff for their exemplary commitment to the company and intends to provide every support possible through the entire process.”