More than a dozen employees at the Atlantic Beef Products plant in Albany, P.E.I., have been given layoff notices.
Because of the economic recession, there are fewer animals than expected going through the plant, forcing management to cut 13 staff members, said provincial Agriculture Minister George Webster.
"Down the road, hopefully when market prices increase, then we can ramp up the number of animals, if they're available, and then put some people back on the staff," he said.
"It's a very unfortunate thing right now, but it's a simple business decision."
The layoffs will reduce the number of workers to approximately 50 people.
Webster said Atlantic Beef Products normally processes about 250 cattle every week, but that is currently down by as many as 60 animals.
He said farmers are holding on to their cattle in the hopes of higher prices in the future.
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