Rural secretary agrees to to look again at options for Orkney abattoir

The Scottish Government’s rural economy secretary, Fergus Ewing, has agreed to look again at potential option for securing a locally-based abattoir in Orkney.

Mr Ewing confirmed that he and his officials would re-engage with Orkney Islands Council, the local branch of the NFUS, Orkney Auction Mart and other stakeholders after Orkney MSP Liam McArthur raised the issue recently — first during ministerial question time in Scottish Parliament yesterday afternoon and then directly with Mr Ewing.

During yesterday’s exchange on the importance of local food and drink, Mr McArthur took the opportunity of again highlighting the impact that the abattoir’s closure would have on the promotion of Orkney beef and lamb. 

In response, rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon accepted that Orkney beef and lamb is not only important to the food and drink sector in the islands, but for Scotland as a whole. She agreed to look at ways the Scottish Government may be able to help in identifying potential options.

Commenting after these exchanges, Mr McArthur said: “It remains a concern that Orkney continues to be without a local abattoir. I am very conscious that the longer this remains the case, the more difficult it will be to find a solution.

“I welcome the cabinet secretary’s willingness to re-engage with the Council and other local stakeholders in Orkney in an attempt to make sure that all possible options are fully explored. Mr Ewing acknowledged the importance of the Orkney beef and lamb brands not just to the islands’ but Scotland’s food and drink sector. I hope, even at this late stage, that a solution can be found.”

(cover image: The previous council-owned abattoir building, in Kirkwall, closed in January last year, citing the need for refurbishment and the continued cost of it functioning.)