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UK meat processor Scotbeef has secured a £4 million grant from the Scottish government and European Union to build a new processing facility.
On a visit to the company’s facility in Inverurie, Scottish rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing announced the grant, which will be delivered under the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) scheme. The award will contribute to a £17 million investment to fund a new abattoir and processing facility.
The FPMC is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (2014-20) – a joint programme of support involving Scottish government and European Union funds.
To date the FPMC scheme has supported 88 Scottish food and drink businesses with awards totalling £37 million. Last month potato producer Albert Bartlett secured £4 million under the initiative as it seeks to diversify into the chilled potato market.
Scotbeef managing director Robbie Galloway said: “We are delighted that the Scottish government has agreed to support us in the construction of our new abattoir at Thainstone Business Park in Inverurie.
“As a fourth-generation family company, with quality Scottish meat products at its heart, we are extremely pleased that this exciting development will secure the future of meat processing in the north east of Scotland for many years to come, providing security for the farmer producers who supply us and for our skilled local workforce.”
Fergus Ewing added: “Scotland’s food and drink is internationally renowned and continues to be a standout sector within our economy. The industry is worth around £14 billion to our economy each year, accounting for a fifth of manufacturing jobs. There are around 18,850 food and drink businesses in Scotland, employing approximately 115,400 people.
“This award will allow Scotbeef to move to new state-of-the art premises on the outskirts of Inverurie – safeguarding jobs and allowing the company to continue to offer a vital service to Scotland’s livestock producers but particularly those in the north east. Today’s £4 million announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to help food and drink companies, large and small, take their businesses to the next level while building on our reputation as a land of food and drink.”
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