News Pigs
NVWA strike threatens to hit slaughterhouses
A strike at the NVWA in the Central Netherlands could affect slaughter capacity due to potential staff shortages. Previous actions had limited effect, but uncertainty remains. Read more about the impact of the NVWA strike on the slaughter sector.
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The NVWA states in a response Boerenbusiness that, for the time being, insufficient supervisory capacity is available for 4 companies. At 3 other companies, the slaughter process can partially continue.
Reportedly, the strike concerns the Central Netherlands region. Both Vion and the VanDrie Group confirm that they are dealing with the situation. Vion indicates that the actions will have consequences tomorrow. Slaughtering will not take place in Apeldoorn, production in Boxtel is running at half capacity, and Vion's capacity in Tilburg will be reduced. The schedule is being adjusted accordingly.
Press spokesperson Inge Burgmans indicates that Vion is in talks with the NVWA regarding the situation. VleesNL states in a press release that insufficient inspection and supervision capacity will be available on that day.
A strike by NVWA personnel also took place on Tuesday, March 3. Although only a limited number of employees participated in the actions, the slaughterhouses were forced to close for a day or half a day on previous occasions, VleesNL writes. Vion acknowledges this and states that the actions of the past two months have already led to substantial work stoppages in slaughterhouses on two occasions.
Minor consequences
The effects of previous actions remained relatively limited in the big picture. The number of cattle slaughterings did not turn out visibly lower than the week before or after. The number of pigs slaughtered in that week (week 10), at 258.797 pigs, was slightly lower than the week before and after. For comparison, 261.606 pigs were slaughtered in week 9 and 262.088 in week 11.