Aberdeenshire meat processor awarded £4million grant to expand business

A meat processing company has been awarded a £4 million grant from Scottish Government and European Union (EU) funds.

The money will contribute to Scotbeef's planned £17 million new abattoir and meat-processing facility in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

The grant is one of the largest ever from the food processing, marketing and co-operation scheme.

The scheme is part of a joint rural development support programme involving Scottish Government and EU funds.

Announcing the award, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland's food and drink is internationally renowned and continues to be a standout sector within our economy.

“The industry is worth around £14 billion to our economy each year, accounting for a fifth of manufacturing jobs.

“There are around 18,850 food and drink businesses in Scotland, employing approximately 115,400 people.

“This award will allow Scotbeef to move to new state-of-the art premises on the outskirts of Inverurie - safeguarding jobs and allowing the company to continue to offer a vital service to Scotland's livestock producers, but particularly those in the north-east.''

Managing director Robbie Galloway said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has agreed to support us in the construction of our new abattoir at Thainstone business park in Inverurie.

“As a fourth-generation family company, with quality Scottish meat products at its heart, we are extremely pleased that this exciting development will secure the future of meat processing in the north-east of Scotland for many years to come, providing security for the farmer producers who supply us and for our skilled local workforce."