Rally over threat to poultry jobs

Last month, parent company Moy Park told workers at the former Ferne Foods plant in Lisnaskea that it was being considered for closure.


The rally was the latest move to prevent job losses at the factory, which produces frozen breaded chicken and processed egg products.


Union spokesman Jim Quinn said the rural community was united in support.


“All the indications are that this will be a major rally for Lisnaskea and will make other multinationals thinking of taking similar action think again before they take on a united rural community,” he said.


Moy Park said last month that cheaper overseas imports meant the plant was no longer viable, and has begun a consultation on its future.


It said the plant was neither large enough, nor sufficiently specialist, to warrant long-term investment.


It said employees wishing to stay within the company may be offered similar employment in the company’s Northern Ireland sites.


About 3,500 people are employed by Moy Park in Northern Ireland across three production sites at Dungannon, Craigavon and Moira.