McArthur: Orkney needs an abattoir that is fit for purpose
Further meetings were held this week over future provision of an abattoir in Orkney. Orkney MSP Liam McArthur, what attended the meeting on Tuesday this week has reported that interest has been expressed in the Challenge Fund that the local council set up to attract private investors to the abattoir.
The local council, which owns the abattoir facility in Kirkwall, has been helping cover the costs of running a once a week service, to the sum of nearly ÂŁ1 million since the service was set up in 2012.
The council announced that operations — which were being run by the local butcher consortium, Orkney Meat Processors Ltd (OMPL) — would cease with immediate effect on January 11.
The council cited the building being too big for the number of animals going through it and there being a need for the machinery and plant to be refurbished.
Following this week’s meeting, Mr McArthur said: “This week’s meeting provided a useful opportunity to discuss recent developments in relation to the closure of the local abattoir. It followed on from earlier, productive talks with the Cabinet Secretary, Fergus Ewing and his officials.
“It was encouraging to hear that the council has now received expressions of interest in its Challenge Fund, launched at the end of last year with the aim of helping any potential operator to develop a business plan for a longer term solution to Orkney’s abattoir needs. This progress was welcomed by all the stakeholders at the meeting.
“Nevertheless, any proposals on a longer-term solution will take time to approve and put into place. Meantime, the meeting also heard how the abattoir closure is impacting on a wide range of different local producers.
“While a further assessment of the equipment in the current facility is due to take place soon, I would hope that this will then allow the facility to be reopened. Ultimately, though, Orkney needs an abattoir that is fit for purpose in the long term. Efforts to identify that solution must be the priority”.