A locally owned lamb processing site is under new ownership after being acquired by Irish meat giants Dawn Meats Group.

HR Jaspers and Son, based at South Petherwin have confirmed they have been acquired by Dunbia, part of the Dawn Meats Group.

The Jasper family business was formed in 1930 and processes up to 10,000 lambs a week, with products sold to retail, wholesale, foodservice and export markets. The site employs 90 people and all staff are being retained.

Niall Browne, chief executive officer at Dunbia, said: “The reputation and demand for high-quality West Country lamb is growing both within Britain and across Europe and we look forward to continuing to work with farmers in Cornwall and across the South West to promote this excellent product to both new and existing customers.”

Andrew Smyth, Livestock Procurement Director at Dunbia said: “The climate and excellent farming practices in this region will allow us to deliver the first British Spring lambs of the new season to our customers.

“This will be a great addition to our range of regional lamb products from Britain and Northern Ireland.”

Keith Jasper, Managing Director of H R Jasper & Son said: “We have a proud history of providing great service to both our farmers and our customers and as the family now passes on the business, we are confident that Dunbia will continue that tradition. We have been doing business with Dunbia for many years.

“It’s a family business like ours and has previous experience of acquiring and developing businesses in the West Country. Our family looks forward to continuing to work with Dunbia on the site.”

Details of the deal are to remain confidential. Dawn Meats, the parent company of Dunbia, previously purchased the Jasper beef abattoir and boning facility in Treburley in Cornwall in 2014.