Comhairle Makes Progress On Auction Mart

14 August 2002

There was good news for the Western Isles crofting community today as Comhairle nan Eilean Siar agreed in principle to the purchase of the Auction Mart at Steinish, including equipment and fittings, which should allow sales of livestock to take place at the facility at Steinish.

The £60,000 purchase is dependent on a suitable tenant being found to rent the property and the Comhairle will now advertise for expressions of interest. It is also dependent on the agreement of SYT Trading Ltd. to assign the lease.

The liquidator of the former owner company, Lewis and Harris Auction Marts Ltd., has been negotiating with Dingwall Auction Marts to allow sales to proceed in the meantime.

Vice-Convener Roddy Murray said: “This is good news for the crofting community and should allow livestock sales to take place. The Comhairle has worked hard to achieve what is a good deal for the local community. We will now be writing to the Stornoway Trust seeking their agreement to assign the lease”.

The moves follow the intervention by the Comhairle to provide a slaughtering service at Stornoway Abattoir following the liquidation of the previous operating company, Heather Isle Meats. The service will be in operation as from the 19th August. Charges are being set at £12.64 for Slaughter only and £14.73 for Slaughter and Butcher. Slaughter of cattle is set at £63.07. It is hoped that a collection service will be introduced in the near future. Without the Comhairle providing the service, the crofting community would have faced severe difficulties because of the illegality of Home Kill.

ENDS

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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