The Duke of Rothesay and the Scottish Government are ploughing cash into an initiative to secure a future for six of Scotland’s island abattoirs.
The facilities in Shetland, Orkney, Lewis, North Uist, Mull and Islay operate on a financial knife-edge.
The new three-year scheme, being delivered through the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society and Scottish Business in the Community, will initially focus on securing business support for the slaughterhouses and then help them to develop their operations. The prince’s financial support is being delivered through his Countryside Fund.
Prince Charles said yesterday he had always passionately believed in the importance of securing a viable future for rural communities. The abattoirs were vital for local agricultural businesses and the island economies.
He added: “It allows farmers and crofters to add value to their produce, tourism providers to promote local provenance and local people to have local food.
“It is my strong believe that with the generous assistance of the Scottish Government, these businesses can not only have a sustainable future, but can at last help capture the increased consumer demand for traceable, authentic and quality UK meat.
“I am delighted that two of my charities, The Countryside Fund and Scottish Business in the Community have been able to support this project and I look forward to seeing a real, lasting difference.”
The initiative stems from a dinner Charles held at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate last year, and to which he invited the abattoir operators, the Food Standards Agency and various others.
Increased operating costs and regulation are among the main issues facing small throughput abattoirs. But the other big problem they have is in securing sufficient livestock given the decrease in cattle and sheep numbers.
Orkney’s abattoir in Kirkwall was thrown into doubt last year after the previous operator, Orkney Meat, ceased operating because of difficult trading conditions. It reopened under the control of local butchers, one of whom is Thorfinn Craigie, of Craigie’s at Tankerness,
He described the project last night as brilliant. “I’m over the moon. This is really, really good news,” he added.
Lewis and Harris Sheep Producers Association chairman and crofter Iain M. Maciver also said it was good news for the council-operated plants in the Western Isles.
He had been actively involved in establishing the new abattoir in Stornoway. He hopes the initiative will give crofters and farmers the confidence to launch a new mutton brand and give consumers elsewhere a real taste of Lewis.
Former Mull abattoir chairman Tom Nelson said the initiative would undoubtedly assist its efforts to operate viably.
The project will also provide funds for improvements, deliver specialist business mentoring support, develop market opportunities locally and elsewhere and assist in the promotion of products to boost volume through the plants. There is also support staff training and apprenticeships, withe the pledge that 15 young people will be offered improved skills and job opportunities.
Scottish Business in the Community said 20% of the 2,162 agricultural holdings on the islands will benefit directly as will the environment and animal welfare.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said he was delighted to match the support being provided by Prince Charles.
He added: “The Scotch brand has never been in greater demand locally and across Scotland and the world. To fully capitalise on the opportunities we need to take an in-depth look at the issues surrounding livestock production and marketing, and help our producers and processors recognise and seize the opportunities that are now opening up to them. The additional funding we have provided to strengthen the visibility of the Scotch label – as well as the Scottish Government support for these island abattoirs – will help achieve that aim.”
Quality Meat Scotland chairman Jim McLaren said that the ability to add value to meat produced in the island communities must be more sensible than transporting animals to the mainland and all of the value being captured there.