‘Significant disruption’ to pork production in Northern Ireland, as Government vets strike
There is set to be significant disruption to pork production in Northern Ireland this week, as Government vets carry out a five-day strike over an unsatisfactory pay deal.
Union members of the Veterinary Service Animal Health Group (VSAHG) and the NIPSA union, which represents the vets, are striking, preventing the slaughter of cattle, pigs, sheep or poultry without the presence of official vets in abattoirs. Border controls in Northern Ireland are also being disrupted by the action.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has warned of the potential for ‘significant disruption’ to the delivery of many of the Department’s veterinary and animal health functions. These include delivery of official controls and other official activities across Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) inspection facilities, meat plants and field operations.
“If there is no resolution to the current pay dispute, the industrial action is likely to present issues in relation to animal health and welfare, public health and continuity of agri-food supply chains,” it said.
“The Department fully respects the rights of colleagues to take industrial action and regrets sincerely that the budget situation that civil servants are trying their best to manage has meant that it has not been possible to provide a meaningful pay award for NI Civil Service staff.”
Alistair Driver | Pig World
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