Alliance confirms Timaru meat processing plant to shut down

Around 600 employees at Alliance Group's Timaru meatworks are out of a job, following an announcement that the co-op will close its Smithfield plant by the end of the year. Alliance revealed a proposal to shut the 139-year-old abbatoir two weeks ago because of a drop in sheep numbers, which was confirmed at an all-staff meeting this morning. Delphine Herbert reports from Timaru.