Canadian firm Saputo was tight-lipped when The Border Mail asked a series of questions about the future of the Kiewa dairy.

Saputo’s vice president of communications and corporate responsibility Sandy Vassiadis declined to outline its plans.

“At this time, and until the transaction is completed, we are unable to respond to your specific questions,” Ms Vassiadis stated.

The Border Mail asked if Saputo would proceed with the closure of the factory, whether it would consider selling it and what the company’s attitude was towards the yogurt joint venture with Danone.

The Montreal conglomerate was also quizzed over whether it would transfer cream cheese production to Cobram and whether representatives would meet with Indigo Council’s mayor and union officials.

Ms Vassiadis noted the sale, flagged by Murray Goulburn last Friday, still required approval from shareholders and regulators as well as assessing by an independent expert. 

“We expect this process will be completed in the first half of calendar year 2018,” she wrote.

“Until then, updates to employees will be provided through Murray Goulburn management.”

National Union of Workers national secretary Tim Kennedy on Wednesday said his organisation had requested a meeting with Saputo.

He wants Saputo to retain Kiewa and other potentially doomed Murray Goulburn factories at Rochester and Edith Creek open.

“With the sale of Saputo looking likely next year, we need to make sure that the three sites slated to close by mid-next year will not be mothballed and if Saputo does not have an interest in keeping these open, interested buyers will have the opportunity to keep factories running and provide secure jobs in regional Australia,” Mr Kennedy said.

“The dairy industry in Australia produces the highest quality cheese, milk and yogurt with a growing international market.

“There are 300 good, secure, union jobs in these towns, which support families and contribute to local economies

“Mothballing these factories when other operators are wanting to step in would be a bad idea that would hurt regional communities for generations to come.”