Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Slaughtering Service

Negotiations over a ‘kill and return service’ to be in place at the Stornoway abattoir as from mid-August are continuing between Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and a private operator.

However, because of the short time scale, the Comhairle is putting in place contingency arrangements aimed at ensuring that a slaughtering service is provided at the abattoir from mid-August until December.

Chairman of the Comhairle’s Slaughtering Sub-Committee, Cllr. Archie Campbell, said:
“The Comhairle is making every effort to provide this service for the crofting community. We will keep people fully informed of developments including when the abattoir will be open for business and the level of charges. At the moment we are still in negotiations but one way or another we will provide a service. In order for this venture to operate successfully will require the co-operation of crofters the fullest use of facility”.

Whilst the Comhairle is able to make these arrangements on Lewis because the local authority own the Stornoway Abattoir, the Sub-Committee has been examining slaughtering facilities throughout the Islands. At the moment the only other licensed abattoir in the Western Isles is on Barra. The situation in Harris and the Uists is uncertain but the Comhairle would be looking to encourage any groups which are interested in taking matters forward.

The Sub-Committee is aware of media speculation last week that the Comhairle was being asked to provide large sums of money for a private slaughtering operation. At no time did the Comhairle plan to invest any such sums of public money.

ENDS

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk