This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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No Smokies without Arbroath
29/03/2004
A new smokehouse to produce Arbroath Smokies for UK supermarkets was officially opened today within weeks of the traditional product receiving international recognition.
Arbroath smokies has joined Roquefort and Stilton cheese and Jambon d'Ardenne in securing special European protection through Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson said products like Smokies are are helping build a secure future for Scotland's food industry and local communities.
The Minister was opening a purpose-built extension at RR Spink & Sons and meeting trainee chefs at Angus College who are hoping to emulate the success of Gary Watson whose locally based cuisine, including smokies, won him the title of Scottish Chef of the Year 2003.
Mr Wilson said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to enhancing the quality and value of Scotland's produce.
"Building closer links between producers, retailers and consumers is vital to achieving that goal. With the opening of the first dedicated smokehouse in Arbroath to supply supermarket fish counters we are investing in a forward looking industry committed to making quality produce more widely available.
"The Arbroath smokie has a proud heritage and, thanks to the work done both here in Arbroath by the Arbroath Fish Processors Association, and by the Scottish Executive, a secure future.
"The award of the PGI will protect the international reputation of the smokie and secure the future for an important traditional industry and the jobs it supports.
"Since the 19th Century the production of the Arbroath smokie has remained largely unchanged but the smokie is a product with contemporary appeal as the young chefs here at Angus College have proved."
R R Spink & Sons currently produces a range of hot and cold smoked dishes, based on salmon and trout, and featuring cuts, fillets, steaks and added value products. Tesco, Sainsbury, Marks and Spencer and Safeway currently account for 70 per cent of the smoked trout total output.
To capitalise on the opportunities that exist following the award of PGI status, the business has now recommenced the production of Arbroath Smokies.
R R Spink will be the only processor in Arbroath with the necessary technical expertise, size and existing customer base to get Arbroath Smokies back onto the fish counters of multiple retailers in the UK.
Additional smoking, packaging and weighing equipment has been purchased for the new facility. Grant assistance of £90,951 (20 per cent) was provided towards the project costs of £454,754 under the Processing & Marketing element of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).
The Minister also visited A&A Spink, a family business which smokes around 200 pairs of fish a day. The company has shops in Blairgowrie and Dundee and also sells through the internet.