Scotland-New abattoir for Castle Douglas.

UNITED KINGDOM-Castle Douglas abattoir proposal is set to create 20 new jobs

A NEW multi-million pound abattoir near Castle Douglas could create 20 jobs.

A group of farmers and food producers have launched The Dumfries and Galloway Food Cooperative, aiming to provide local farmers and butchers with a modern £2.5million abattoir and processing facility.

With only one abattoir in the region, based at Lockerbie, Caron Kennedy Stewart, secretary and treasurer of the cooperative, said: "We are not looking to take away business from Lockerbie as we will be more for the smaller producers who are trying to take produce to farmers’ markets.

"Our facility will be for local people to sell local produce."

Directors of the cooperative are currently looking at sites within a 15-mile radius of Castle Douglas with close proximity to the A75.

Work has began on the development of a full business plan and the cooperative is planning to make an application to the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme, which is funded through the Scottish Rural Development Programme, for a contribution towards the set up costs.

The remainder of the funding would be raised by the cooperative through either membership fees or the sale of shares.

Members of the cooperative recently visited an abattoir on Islay to find out more about how the business works.

Robin Austin, who took part in the tour, said: "It was a great opportunity to speak to farmers and see how they were adding value to their meat and it allowed us to network and discuss the main issues."

Daniel Hird of Scottish Enterprise, who initiated the project, said the directors of the Dumfries and Galloway Food Cooperative should be "applauded for their hard work, professionalism and commitment to make this happen – it is quite an achievement to get this far".

He added: "However, they all recognise they have a long way to go before we see the development of a new all-encompassing meat processing facility in the region but they are firmly set on achieving that goal."

South of Scotland SNP MSP Mike Russell said it was "vital" to have abattoir facilities operating locally, improving the whole food chain and ensuring maximum value for local producers.

He added: "I am therefore very enthusiastic about Dumfries and Galloway Food Cooperative’s proposals and I hope all local representatives will help to make them a reality."