The Alliance Group says a drop in our livestock numbers is behind a proposal shut a Timaru meatworks. 

It's called an all-staff meeting today to announce a proposal to close its Smithfield freezing works.

It would stop sheep meat, calf, and night shift venison processing after this season, and remaining venison at the end of the year, at the latest.

Group chair Mark Wynne told Heather du Plessis-Allan there's been a change in how farmers are using their land.

He says the fundamental reason is declining livestock and in particular sheep - and the flow on effect that is has on the processing industry. 

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