A farmers union has appealed to dairy giant Müller to keep a closure-threatened Scottish milk processing plant open while it explores alternative options.
Bosses at the German firm are in the midst of a 45-day consultation with staff over the potential closure of its site in Aberdeen, where 89 jobs are on the line.
The company said the factory was only running at 38 per cent capacity and the milk being produced at the site was “far in excess” of customer requirements in the area.
The 43 farmers who supply the site have been given two choices should the plant close.
If they wish to continue supplying the business they face paying a 1.75 pence per litre ‘transport charge’ to have the milk shipped for processing at the firm’s Bellshill plant.
If they choose to skip the controversial ‘tanker tax’ then their contracts will be terminated within 12 months.
But NFU Scotland today asked for more time for a feasibility study into the viability of building a new plant in south Aberdeenshire to be completed.
Farming representatives want the Tullos plant in Aberdeen to remain open when the consultation period ends later this month in order for further research into the idea to be carried out.
Jean McLean, Milk Committee representative for the north-east said: “We have held various discussions in recent weeks with producers in the region as well as food manufacturers who have expressed an interest in helping to fill the void in processing capacity that could be left if Müller close the plant.
“As part of our discussions, we are lobbying MPs to get behind the union’s cause to convince retailers in Aberdeenshire to support local milk production and give a commitment to local sourcing if a local processing plant is established.
“There is a desire to preserve a strong milk field in the north-east, and we are striving to do everything in our power to make sure it has a viable future.
“We will continue to drive forward the feasibility study, and seek to work with Müller UK & Ireland to stress that there remains a justifiable case for a milk processing plant in the north-east.”
Müller announced at the start of last month that it was proposing to invest 15 million pounds over the next three years at Scotland’s largest fresh milk dairy at Bellshill.
But the firm said it would be also examining the possible winding down of milk processing at plants in Aberdeen and East Kilbride as part of the review of its Scottish network.
A total of 229 posts could be lost across the two sites.
If processing stops at the Aberdeen dairy, farmers supplying the site will be offered the opportunity to continue supplying the business, on the acceptance of a 1.75 pence per litre transport ‘tax’.
Müller said the fee reflects the need to move the milk to Bellshill for processing.
Farmers who do not wish to continue supplying the company will be given 12 months to make “alternative arrangements” before their contracts are terminated.
The case for the new plant is due to be presented to Müller bosses in due course.