OIC and Orkney Meat agree to work together to ensure continued abattoir facilities

Orkney Islands Council has welcomed a decision by the board of Orkney Meat Limited to accept a package of measures to assist in the orderly winding up of the company while it remains solvent.

The council’s intention is to secure the company’s plant and machinery, packaging materials and the Orkney Beef and Orkney Lamb brands.

OIC chief executive Albert Tait said: “This means that once OML is wound up, it will be still be possible in the short term for the existing facilities at Hatston to be used to provide an abattoir service for local farmers and local butchers.

“We will need to meet with partner agencies, along with representatives from the farming and food sectors, to discuss exactly how such a service is provided.

“We will also need to consider a longer term solution. This could mean a much smaller abattoir that can meet demand within Orkney for locally produced meat. This is a possibility we will consider during those discussions.”

The board said it was very pleased with the council’s decision to support the  company at this difficult time.

In a statement the board said: “Orkney Meat Limited is committed to working closely with the council and other stakeholders to ensure a local facility remains available to the local farmers and butchers.

“It is now planned to hold shareholders meeting on Monday, April 2 in the Ayre Hotel at 7.30pm. There will be no further comment until that meeting has taken place.”