AB Foods postpones UK bioethanol plant closure decision by 24 hours

LONDON (Reuters) -Associated British Foods said on Tuesday it will extend its deadline for deciding the fate of its under threat Vivergo bioethanol plant in Hull, northern England, by 24 hours, hoping the UK government will step in with a support package.

"At the request of the government, ABF has agreed to postpone Vivergo closure decisions for 24 hours while discussions continue on the appropriate process for resolution of the issues facing the UK bioethanol industry," an AB Foods spokesperson said.

The group's original deadline was June 25.

(Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Catarina Demony)