A Green MP has criticized the response to McCain’s decision to close its plant in Hastings, describing it as tardy as debate continues over the future of the site. McCain has said the Hastings facility will close on January 31, 2027, setting a clear end date for the operation.
The closure has been described as deeply disappointing, with the latest explanation pointing to a major change in circumstances. According to the information released, the situation shifted fundamentally once it became clear that the processing equipment was no longer available.
That detail appears to have become central to the company’s reasoning, suggesting the plant’s future became harder to sustain after the equipment issue emerged. At the same time, the political criticism highlights concerns not only about the closure itself, but also about how quickly decision-makers responded as the situation developed.
The dispute now centers on both the practical cause of the shutdown and the handling of the fallout. With the Hastings McCain plant set to close in early 2027, the announcement has added pressure on those involved to explain the timeline, the options considered, and why the response unfolded as it did.
