'The Government has failed to act to protect these workers'

LOCAL POLITICIANS REACT TO 'DEVASTATING' VIVERGO CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT

- By ANDREW SPENCE

LOCAL politicians have reacted to the "devastating" news that the UK's largest bioethanol plant, the Hull-based Vivergo Fuels is set to close.

The closure was announced on Friday following news that the Government would not be intervening to save the industry.

The US-UK trade deal announced earlier in the year was cause for serious concern for Britain's domestic bioethanol firms as the agreement included the removal of an existing 19 per cent tariff on ethanol products imported from the United States. Domestic firms such as Vivergo Fuels and the Redcar based Ensus warned that they would not be able to compete with the cheaper products from the US without the tariff.

Seeking Government intervention to save their industry, Vivergo put its efforts into campaigning alongside other businesses and local politicians. However, following last week's announcement that the Government will not be intervening, the firm promptly announced a 'closure process' was beginning. In a statement, Vivergo's owners Associated British Foods (ABF) stated: "Vivergo will have ceased all production of bioethanol and animal feed by August 31, 2025."