{"id":199209,"date":"2018-01-22T17:48:04","date_gmt":"2018-01-22T07:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=199209"},"modified":"2020-07-02T18:37:15","modified_gmt":"2020-07-02T08:37:15","slug":"chicken-abattoir-closes-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/01\/22\/chicken-abattoir-closes-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicken Abattoir Closes Doors"},"content":{"rendered":"

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QCGA president Jodie Redcliffe (Photo: Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>January 22, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Baiada chicken abattoir near Ipswich shut down on Friday, five months after management announced it had cancelled all contracts with chicken farmers in south-east Queensland.<\/p>\n

Baiada, one of Australia\u2019s largest chicken companies, had been processing chickens for its Lilydale and Steggles brands at the Wulkuraka plant.<\/p>\n

The company has been progressively shedding employees since the August announcement.<\/p>\n

At the time, the Queensland Chicken Growers Association (QCGA) said the announcement was a devastating blow to the industry, and could cost growers up to $150 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entire Queensland industry is in shock at the timing and manner of this decision by one of Australia\u2019s largest chicken meat processors,\u201d QCGA president Jodie Redcliffe said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is clear that Baiada\u2019s decision has been driven by corporate greed and a desire to consolidate its business in NSW rather than because of any questions about the viability of the industry in in Queensland.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur farmers were not given any warning or notice of this decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey operate modern, efficient farms that meet and indeed exceed industry standards, within an industry that continues to see record profits and growth.”<\/p>\n

Baiada plans to continue to use the site as a distribution hub but with a much-reduced workforce.<\/p>\n

An estimated 400 jobs have been lost by the Wulkuraka closure.<\/p>\n

As well, 28 chicken farmers supplied the plant with more than 23 million birds a year have been affected.<\/p>\n