The Crown Research Institute AgResearch has got out of the meat processing business.
It has sold the abattoir it has been operating for decades at its Ruakura base outside Hamilton to meat company Wilson Hellaby.
The abattoir was established to process stock for research purposes, but after being upgraded to a commercial abattoir 17 years ago had gradually shifted from being predominantly for science use to a commercial toll killing business.
AgResearch will use the proceeds from the sale upgrade its science facilities.
Wilson Hellaby, which also owns Auckland Meat Processors, will continue to process stock for research purposes when needed.
