Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Comhairle Will Provide Slaughtering Service

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar today confirmed that, subject to clearance from SEERAD/DEFRA, a slaughtering service will be provided at Stornoway abattoir from mid August to mid December this year. The Comhairle will operate the service.

The Comhairle has moved to provide the service following the liquidation of Heather Isle Meats, the previous operators. The Comhairle has been unable to secure agreement with any other operator.

Without this service the crofting community would face severe problems because of the illegality of home kill.

The need for the Comhairle’s intervention arose because the Comhairle is prevented by European state aid regulations from paying an operating subsidy to an abattoir service.

The Sub-Committee is currently considering a proposed level of charges which will be submitted to the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department/Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for approval.

The Chairman of the Comhairle’s Slaughtering Sub-Committee, Mr. Archie Campbell, said today: “I am pleased that the Comhairle is in a position to provide this service.
Whilst the charges have yet to be finalised and are subject to clearance from the Scottish Executive, it should be stressed that prices will have to take into account commercial realities and this is likely to mean a substantial rise from the previous operation.
Unlike the previous operators, we will be providing this service without the benefit of a payment of £90,000 from the Council taxpayers. We have also been told in no uncertain terms by the Scottish Executive, who have been closely monitoring this situation, that we must charge a commercially realistic price for the service being provided and that includes taking into account the prices at other abattoirs in the north of Scotland.
I would implore the potential users to make use of this service during its period of operation to ensure that it is a success. As soon as we are certain of the level of charges we will make every effort to keep everyone fully informed”.

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