Tuesday 05 Aug 2008 @ 17:03
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Support for Scotland's food industry
A multi-million pound investment to help put more local food on Scots' dinner tables was announced today.
Six million pounds will be invested in businesses producing, processing and marketing local food.
In line with the emerging national food and drink policy, businesses will work closer together, forming local food networks and creating a healthier, more environmentally-friendly supply chain from farm gate to plate.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"Supporting Scottish food is in our national interest and this funding will help our food businesses grow and flourish.
"I have been impressed with the innovative, high-quality ideas which have been put forward for funding.
"We produce some of the freshest, finest produce in the world but it is not always easy for Scottish suppliers to access markets. This funding will help to develop greater collaboration and ensure that businesses can get into supply chains and meet consumer demand.
"This is all in line with our national food and drink policy, taking a cross-cutting approach to food and its wider impacts on our health, our environment and our economy.
"A healthy future for the food and drink industry contributes to sustainable economic growth in Scotland."
Capital grants from the National Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme have been awarded for a total of £5,997,230 to 27 companies. These include:
* Orkney Cheese Company - Local dairy company awarded £16,000 towards a feasibility study to consider the potential for the profitable treatment of whey to reduce environmental waste and develop new products
* Millers of Speyside, Grantown On Spey - Meat processor and wholesaler supplying 400 food service and wholesale customers throughout the UK awarded £70,548 towards processing equipment
* Scotherbs, Dundee - Major supplier of herbs to UK multiple retailers awarded £75,218 towards processing equipment
* Roslin Nutrition Ltd, Midlothian - Independent research centre awarded £87,462 towards the construction of a new slaughter house and processing equipment for poultry including organic and free range
* GW Miller & Sons, Perthshire - Family partnership awarded £245,226 towards a new packhouse for organic vegetables
* Energen Biogas, Cumbernauld - Renewable energy business awarded £2 million towards an anaerobic digestion plant to produce green electricity from food and farming waste and use the heat to grow vegetables
The National Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme is provided under the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Up to £10 million per year is available to food processors and producers to help:
* Construct new facilities, refurbish existing premises and purchase new equipment
* Support wider marketing and business, including website development and consumer education
* Provide resources to support collaboration within the food chain such as distribution and accessing markets
A previously successful recipient of the grant scheme will be visited by Mr Lochhead later today to see the results of the funding.
Connage Highland Dairy is a family partnership organic cheese manufacturing facility at Ardersier, Inverness. Grant aid of £191,578 supported the construction of the processing building, including a chill store and packing area, plus purchase of cheese vats, moulds and associated processing and packing equipment.
The National Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme does not cover fish, which will be covered by the European Fisheries Fund due to launch later this year.
Related Information
Six million pounds will be invested in businesses producing, processing and marketing local food.
In line with the emerging national food and drink policy, businesses will work closer together, forming local food networks and creating a healthier, more environmentally-friendly supply chain from farm gate to plate.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"Supporting Scottish food is in our national interest and this funding will help our food businesses grow and flourish.
"I have been impressed with the innovative, high-quality ideas which have been put forward for funding.
"We produce some of the freshest, finest produce in the world but it is not always easy for Scottish suppliers to access markets. This funding will help to develop greater collaboration and ensure that businesses can get into supply chains and meet consumer demand.
"This is all in line with our national food and drink policy, taking a cross-cutting approach to food and its wider impacts on our health, our environment and our economy.
"A healthy future for the food and drink industry contributes to sustainable economic growth in Scotland."
Capital grants from the National Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme have been awarded for a total of £5,997,230 to 27 companies. These include:
* Orkney Cheese Company - Local dairy company awarded £16,000 towards a feasibility study to consider the potential for the profitable treatment of whey to reduce environmental waste and develop new products
* Millers of Speyside, Grantown On Spey - Meat processor and wholesaler supplying 400 food service and wholesale customers throughout the UK awarded £70,548 towards processing equipment
* Scotherbs, Dundee - Major supplier of herbs to UK multiple retailers awarded £75,218 towards processing equipment
* Roslin Nutrition Ltd, Midlothian - Independent research centre awarded £87,462 towards the construction of a new slaughter house and processing equipment for poultry including organic and free range
* GW Miller & Sons, Perthshire - Family partnership awarded £245,226 towards a new packhouse for organic vegetables
* Energen Biogas, Cumbernauld - Renewable energy business awarded £2 million towards an anaerobic digestion plant to produce green electricity from food and farming waste and use the heat to grow vegetables
The National Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme is provided under the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Up to £10 million per year is available to food processors and producers to help:
* Construct new facilities, refurbish existing premises and purchase new equipment
* Support wider marketing and business, including website development and consumer education
* Provide resources to support collaboration within the food chain such as distribution and accessing markets
A previously successful recipient of the grant scheme will be visited by Mr Lochhead later today to see the results of the funding.
Connage Highland Dairy is a family partnership organic cheese manufacturing facility at Ardersier, Inverness. Grant aid of £191,578 supported the construction of the processing building, including a chill store and packing area, plus purchase of cheese vats, moulds and associated processing and packing equipment.
The National Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme does not cover fish, which will be covered by the European Fisheries Fund due to launch later this year.
Related Information
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Food-Industry/granttimetable/2008-awards
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Food-Industry
