Rural Payments and Services

Pig farmers affected by the temporary closure of an abattoir in Brechin will be eligible for hardship support through a new £715,000 scheme.

The closure of the abattoir due to coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted on the ability of the wider pork sector to export, resulting in additional costs for pig farmers. This scheme seeks to help meet some of these costs.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“I am keenly aware of the financial impact that the site closure had on pig producers, particularly in relation to reduced pork exports. I have listened to the sector’s urgent request for help in this specific and difficult circumstance.

“Therefore I made the decision to act now, in advance of the resolution of all issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak on site, in order to provide much-needed hardship support to affected pig farmers. The £715,000 will provided funding to pig farmers who have lost out through no fault of their own.”

Background

The financial support will cover partial deductions applied to the price paid for pigs processed through the abattoir from 8 February up until the end of March. The details of scheme and how affected farmers are to be supported will be published on the Scottish Government website in due course.

Quality Pork Producers abattoir based in Brechin closed for two weeks from 23 January due to an outbreak of COVID-19.