Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley and Uddingston and Bellshill MSP Stephanie Callaghan are calling on Dawnfresh Seafoods to reconsider plans to close their Uddingston site.

Dawnfresh today announced their intentions to move production from Uddingston and expand their operation in Arbroath.

The move would see 230 permanent and 90 temporary jobs removed from the local economy once the closure takes place in mid 2022.

Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, the food production sector has faced significant challenges and the decision by Dawnfresh is the just latest to highlight the consequences of Brexit.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley and Uddingston and Bellshill MSP Stephanie Callaghan said:

“We were disappointed to learn of Dawnfresh Seafoods’ plans to relocate their business from Uddingston and would urge them to reconsider.

“Losing more than 300 permanent and temporary jobs would be a huge blow to the town and the local economy which has already been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This will undoubtedly be a concern for the staff affected, many of whom will not want the stress of having to move their families 100 miles away from the place they call home.

“Before the 2016 referendum, we were told Brexit would be a good thing for the seafood industry but this proposal is just another example of how the UK Government’s disregard for the industry has made things harder for companies to trade with Europe and has ultimately cost jobs.”