SE1 meat processing firm says UK must remain in the EU

Lobo Meat and Poultry opened its halal meat processing plant in St James's Road last year.

The business is the largest EU-approved cutting plant in Central London.

Since opening with three staff last year the company has now expanded to employ 10 people and provides training opportunities with its master butchers.

"If the UK left the EU we wouldn't exist," said Keith Lobo, owner and director of Lobo Meat and Poultry.

"We are a global company, sourcing meat from across the EU. If we left the EU we would lose out to larger companies as they fill quotas for imports which we cannot compete with."

As Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage took part in their first broadcast debate on the UK's future relationship with the European Union, the factory received a visit from local Liberal Democrats Simon Hughes MP, Dr Richard Davis and Cllr Michael Bukola.

"This is a fantastic firm that is helping drive the economy here in south London," said Simon Hughes MP.

"It is also a prime example of why Liberal Democrats are the party of 'IN' and support our membership of the EU.

"Without our membership of the EU Lobo Meat and Poultry say they wouldn't exist, and with that jobs and growth would be lost, which would have a direct and detrimental effect on our community."

Dr Richard Davis, Liberal Democrat London European parliamentary candidate, said: "Lobo Meat and Poultry is a prime example of a local business that has found a niche in the market supplying to local communities and generating employment.

"If the UK left the EU this would jeopardise the future of this and similar companies and the jobs they have created. It is clear how small local businesses are reliant on our continued membership in Europe for jobs and economic growth.

"The Tories and UKIP are putting millions of British jobs at risk and jeopardising billions of pounds of investment by undermining our membership of the EU."