PRESS RELEASE

Livingston, 16 June 2009

VION Announces Concentration of its Sausage Processing Operations

VION Food Group Ltd has today announced proposals to potentially transfer all work currently undertaken at its Cumbria (Shap) frozen sausage facility to its Hull site.

The proposal to potentially transfer work from Cumbria to Hull is based on the better utilisation of a single facility that has the capacity to produce sausages, burgers and other seasonal products.

Commenting on this announcement, Alasdair Cox, Director of Corporate Affairs said “VION has a clear commitment to build its UK business and sausages continue to be part of our core product offer. However, it is crucial to establish sound foundations upon which we can grow the UK business and the proposed changes will provide a stronger platform upon which VION can satisfy both customer and consumer demands.

We very much regret the need for these changes in our activities announced today and have informed our employees of our commitment to consult with them. The commitment from the team at Shap has never been in question.”

The company will be consulting with the affected people and their nominated representatives to explore ways of avoiding redundancies, including transfers to other sites within the wider VION company.

VION Food Group Ltd, the UK arm of VION N.V., produces and processes high quality beef, lamb, pork, bacon and chicken as well as a wide range of convenience products such as sausages, cooked meats and added value cooked chicken. The UK operation has extensive facilities across the UK from farms and hatcheries to primary production, processing and packing, and supplies products according to customer and market demands. The business is primarily focused on the UK retail market but also includes important foodservice and wholesale clients within its portfolio.

VION N.V. is an internationally operating food company with two core activities Food and Ingredients. The company produces high-quality foods and ingredients for humans and animals. VION has an annual turnover of € 8.6 billion and employs 35,500 staff worldwide. VION is a non-listed company and has a single agricultural shareholder: the Zuidelijke Land- en tuinbouworganisatie ZLTO [Dutch Southern Farmers and Market Gardeners Union] which has 18,000 members. VION’s head office is located in Son en Breugel, the Netherlands.

Note for the editors

For further information please contact:
Robert Smith, Group Communications Controller, VION Food Group Ltd
+44 (0)1506 400400
+44 (0)7785 502976
rob.smith@vionfood.co.uk

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PRESS RELEASE

VION Announces Concentration of its Sausage Processing Operations


	PRESS RELEASE Livingston, 16 June 2009 VION Announces Concentration of its Sausage Processing Operations VION Food Group Ltd has today announced proposals to potentially transfer all work currently undertaken at its Cumbria (Shap) frozen sausage facility to its Hull site. The proposal to potentially transfer work from Cumbria to Hull is based on the better utilisation of a single facility that has the capacity to produce sausages, burgers and other seasonal products. Commenting on this announcement, Alasdair Cox, Director of Corporate Affairs said “VION has a clear commitment to build its UK business and sausages continue to be part of our core product offer. However, it is crucial to establish sound foundations upon which we can grow the UK business and the proposed changes will provide a stronger platform upon which VION can satisfy both customer and consumer demands. We very much regret the need for these changes in our activities announced today and have informed our employees of our commitment to consult with them. The commitment from the team at Shap has never been in question.” The company will be consulting with the affected people and their nominated representatives to explore ways of avoiding redundancies, including transfers to other sites within the wider VION company. VION Food Group Ltd, the UK arm of VION N.V., produces and processes high quality beef, lamb, pork, bacon and chicken as well as a wide range of convenience products such as sausages, cooked meats and added value cooked chicken. The UK operation has extensive facilities across the UK from farms and hatcheries to primary production, processing and packing, and supplies products according to customer and market demands. The business is primarily focused on the UK retail market but also includes important foodservice and wholesale clients within its portfolio. VION N.V. is an internationally operating food company with two core activities Food and Ingredients. The company produces high-quality foods and ingredients for humans and animals. VION has an annual turnover of € 8.6 billion and employs 35,500 staff worldwide. VION is a non-listed company and has a single agricultural shareholder: the Zuidelijke Land- en tuinbouworganisatie ZLTO [Dutch Southern Farmers and Market Gardeners Union] which has 18,000 members. VION’s head office is located in Son en Breugel, the Netherlands. Note for the editors For further information please contact: Robert Smith, Group Communications Controller, VION Food Group Ltd +44 (0)1506 400400 +44 (0)7785 502976 rob.smith@vionfood.co.uk