McArthur joins Orkney abattoir meeting with minister

Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur today joined local farming stakeholders in a meeting with Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie to discuss plans to re-open an abattoir facility in Orkney.

Mr McArthur was joined at the meeting by Highlands & Islands MSP, Jamie Halcro Johnston after both MSPs raised the need for an abattoir in Orkney at Rural Affairs Questions recently.

Commenting following the meeting, Mr McArthur said:

“Today’s meeting was very productive and offered an opportunity for those involved in developing plans for an abattoir in Orkney to set out in more detail to the Minister what is envisaged and its importance to a community so heavily dependent on agriculture.

“A great deal of work has gone into scoping out a business case and coming up with proposals for a facility that meets Orkney’s needs and can be sustained over the long term. It draws on lessons learned from the past and on input from a wide range of stakeholders who are clearly very supportive of this initiative.

“The Minister acknowledged the collaborative effort and was interested to learn more about the scale of any future operation. While no commitments were given regarding funding, the Minister did ask to be kept updated.

“There is still a way to go before an abattoir reopens its doors in Orkney, but big strides have been made in the right direction. I will continue working with those involved, local stakeholders and fellow MSPs to see this project over the line.”