State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has sought an urgent briefing from Baiada and an urgent meeting with the NSW Minister for Agriculture to discuss the future of the factory at Beresfield.
Media reports today suggest that Baiada is considering the future of its operations in the Hunter, which include a complete closure of its Hunter based operations.
This would have a devastating impact on the local economy and could see thousands of jobs lost.
Ms Hornery has written to the company seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the future of operations and a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture to ensure the ongoing viability of the factory.
“Baiada is a huge part of the local community in Beresfield and Tarro and any downsizing or closure of the factory would be devastating to the local economy,” Ms Hornery said.
“There are thousands of people employed on site and in the surrounding community who rely on the continuing operation of Baiada.
“There are more than 100 family run and operated farms who feed birds into the Baiada factory and its closure would put all of them out of business and transport to the nearest facility would become cost prohibitive.
“I have written to the company and to the Minister seeking urgent meetings to hear what the issues are and discuss possible solutions to ensure the ongoing viability of the operations at Beresfield.
“The company submitted plans for a major expansion and upgrade of the Beresfield site back in 2018.
“Workers and businesses in the area are rightly worried and I have received dozens of messages this morning expressing concern about the possible closure.
“I will be doing everything I can to keep this important party of the community operating and I am asking the State Government to make sure it remains,” said Ms Hornery.