Aberdeenshire MSP calls for extension to pig producers hardship scheme
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Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has called for an extension to funding for pig farmers impacted by the temporary closure of an abattoir in Brechin.
It comes after pig farmers criticised the UK Government for not doing enough to protect the sector which faces staffing shortages and fears pigs will have to be culled.
Following calls from Ms Martin to the Scottish Government earlier this year, the then Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Fergus Ewing, confirmed a six-figure sum would be provided to help support farmers.
Now, the north-east MSP has written to the Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon calling for the Pig Producers Hardship Scheme to be extended past the end of this month when all initial payments are expected to be paid.
The scheme was set-up to provide essential funding to eligible pig producers who supplied the Quality Pig Processors (QPP) plant at Brechin between February 8 and March 31 and were paid £15 less per pig by the abattoir during this period.
The QPP had to be temporarily closed after more than 40 staff tested positive for Covid-19.
The abattoir normally processed around 6000 pigs per week and the temporary closure lead to a backlog.
Loss of certificates to export to China also meant the value of carcasses dropped significantly causing huge financial losses to farmers, with many farmers reporting that this drop in price has continued. This drop in price has combined with the ongoing labour shortage in the processing sector to place acute pressure on the sector in Scotland.
Earlier this week, Ms Martin met with pig farmer Sandy Howie who runs Baluss Farm near Mintlaw and NFU Scotand vice-president and farmer Andrew Connon to discuss the challenges facing the sector.
Ms Martin warned there continued to be “ongoing losses” for pig farmers in her constituency unless there was further support to help to “weather this exceptionally challenging period”.
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said: “Pig farmers in the north-east and right across Scotland have faced an incredibly tough year so far to their businesses, not only because of the impacts of Boris Johnson’s no-deal Brexit, but also as a result of a previous Covid-19 outbreak at the abattoir in Brechin which has had a significant knock-on impact in their ability to sell meat at a profitable price.
“In March the Scottish Government were quick to take action and look to how the sector could be supported through this turbulent time. While the funding has been welcomed, I wholeheartedly support the view of the industry that an extension to the Hardship Fund would offer vital assistance to farmers that would help mitigate the offset caused by the sustained drop in prices as a result of the events earlier in the year.
“I have worked closely with the Cabinet Secretary and her predecessor on this issue previously and I am optimistic the views of this sector – which is vital to the north-east and Scotland – will be heard.”
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