A CONSULTATION is due to get under way about proposals to move part of a county business to an alternative site in the West Midlands.

Poultry firm Cargill has announced plans to end its production of breaded and battered (B&B) products at its Yazor Road site in Hereford and move production to its Balliol site in Wolverhampton.

The company plans to build an additional line there.

The firm said it will enter a consultation period with the 115 employees who currently work in B&B production in Hereford and their union representatives, but say staff will have the opportunity to move to the Balliol facility or be redeployed within their Hereford and Newent sites.

Speaking on behalf of Cargill, Mary Thompson, Managing Director of Cargill Meats Europe, said: “Our employees are our top priority and every effort will be made to minimise the impact of this change.

"This proposed transition allows us to build our capabilities to serve our customers and consumers more effectively in all our segments.”

The Yazor Road facility will continue to focus on raw products, the business added.

Meanwhile, Cargill has announced it is to establish a joint venture with Faccenda Foods to create a UK food company focused on chicken, turkey and duck.

The formation of this joint venture is subject to clearance by the relevant regulatory authorities and will be a standalone business, with Cargill and Faccenda taking an equal shareholding.

The name of the new joint venture is going to be announced at the closing of the deal.